Man who punched 14-year-old because he was 'having a bad day' is jailed

A man who knocked a 14-year-old boy unconscious in a York street has been sentenced for assault.

John Robert Sanderson, known as Robbie, said he punched the child in the face because he was having a bad day.

He broke several of the boy’s teeth and left him with cuts and abnormal bleeding in his head.

One witness said the victim, who had never met the defendant, fell so hard they thought he was dead.

Police and medics attended the incident on Tadcaster Road on the evening of 17 June last year and the victim was taken for hospital.

He recovered from his head wounds but was left needing dental surgery.

Sanderson, 28, of York, immediately admitted the attack and was arrested and charged.

A judge at York Crown Court today sentenced him to three months and three years in jail.

After the hearing, Police Investigator Melissa Colley said: “This random attack was traumatic for the victim, who’s shown great courage in the way he’s dealt with it.

“I’d also like to thank the members of the public who helped him at the scene.

“This was a serious assault by a grown man against a teenager, simply because Sanderson couldn’t control his emotions after he’d been arguing with his partner and was in a mood.

“I’m glad we were able to bring the case before a judge today so justice can be served.”