Two young men who put a victim in hospital after subjecting him to a flurry of blows whilst he was walking his dogs with his wife, were spared jail yesterday. 

Aaron Smith and Reece Loveridge, both aged 21 years, were handed suspended prison sentences after leaving Simon Edgell with numerous wounds following the attack.

Addressing the judge at Reading Crown Court, prosecutor Hassan Baig said that Mr Edgell and his wife were walking their dogs along the pavement in Deansgate, Bracknell, on June 27, 2021, when they heard a motorcycle being ridden behind them on the pavement.

The court heard that Loveridge - the driver - and pillion passenger Smith made no attempt to ride around them, with Mr Edgell shouting at them to slow down.

One of the defendants shouted back and both defendants made gestures at the couple.

The court heard that the motorbike stopped around 50m in front of the married couple, with both defendants getting off the bike.

Mrs Edgell told the defendants she was going to call the police and that they were being filmed - which she proceeded to do.

The defendants were told they should not be riding on the path, to which they began "mouthing off and shouting" at the couple. Mrs Edgell also took photos of the defendants.

Mr Baig said: "Mr Edgell stood his ground which he was entitled to do."

Mr Edgell said "come on" to the defendants, the court heard.

Loveridge said to Mr Edgell: "jog on old man, you look about 60, what are you going to do?"

Mr Baig continued: "As per Mr Edgell's belief both defendants came inside his personal space. As he perceived a threat he pushed Smith away with an open palm - in order to get more space between him and Smith.

The judge sitting at Reading Crown Court heard that Mr Edgell then felt a punch to his right cheek - which he assumed was from Loveridge.

Mr Baig said: "In response Mr Edgell punched out towards Smith who was directly in front of him."

The court heard that Mr Edgell received a number of blows - he recalled feeling punches to his left and right side for between 30 and 40 seconds.

He fell to his knees and put his hands over his head to protect himself, before continuing to receive blows from both sides.

Mr Edgell was hospitalised with a number of injuries, including bruising around both eyes, a one-centimetre wound directly above his left eyebrow, a 10 cms curved deep wound to left side of his face which extended to the left side of his scalp and a bruise to the upper right side of his chest.

Mr Edgell recalled that most of the blows were from his left side, where Smith was standing.

A statement from him said: "My wife had to watch as I was attacked. The attack required me needing urgent hospital treatment."

Speaking on behalf of the victim, Mr Baig said: "When out walking, upon hearing any noise, both he and his wife feel uncomfortable or nervous."

Carron (corr) Edgell, Simon's wife, said in a statement that she was "flabbergasted" that the simple gesture to slow down caused the men to approach them in a hostile manner and attack her husband.

As of February last year, Mr Edgell had permanent scars above his right eye as a result of the attack, the court heard.

Daniel O'Donoghue, defending Smith, told the judge there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in respect of his client.

He said: "Although it was a persistent attack, it seems to have taken place spontaneously."

Judge Amjad Nawaz said it was a "completely unprovoked attack," which Mr O'Donoghue then accepted.

Mr O'Donoghue added Smith's youth at the time of the offence - he was 18 years old - was a significant factor in mitigation.

Loveridge, of Wallingford Close, Bracknell, Berks., and Smith, of Oakengates, Bracknell, stood in the dock charged with one count of unlawful wounding.

Mark Butler, defending Loveridge, said his client had expressed remorse through his guilty plea, in his pre-sentence report and by his actions since the offences were committed.

Mr Butler said Loveridge "could not have done more to change his life."

Judge Nawaz said: "Their biggest mistake was to tell you to slow down. "That was how innocuous it was.

"He was lambasted whilst on his knees with his hands around his neck and face, trying to protect himself."

For one count of unlawful wounding, Loveridge was sentenced to 18 months in prison - suspended for two years. For the same count, Smith was sentenced to two years in prison - also suspended for two years.