They had never been in trouble. Then a night out landed them in jail

CCTV FOOTAGE SHOWED HOW THE THREE HAD GANGED UP ON THEIR VICTIM, CIRCLING HIM. THE VICTIM HAD LITTLE CHANCE TO DEFEND HIMSELF AND THE MEN DRAGGED HIM TO THE FLOOR AND STAMPED ON HIS HEAD.

04:00, 31 May 2025Updated 08:37, 31 May 2025 Three men pummelled their defenceless victim in a drunken high street assault which left him with a broken jaw, nose, and in need of a permanent

mouth brace which he might have to wear for the rest of his life. On the evening of July 19, 2022, Connor Loddo, Adam Ford and Unotidashe Nikisi decided to attack George Clark at St Mary

Street, Cardiff. CCTV footage played to Newport Crown Court on Friday afternoon by Emily Jermin, prosecuting, showed how the three had ganged up on their victim, circling him. Clark had

little chance to defend himself and the men dragged him to the floor with Loddo throwing the first punches. Once Clark was on the floor the men took it in turns to kick Clark and stamp on

his head in a horrific incident which could have killed him. The men were arrested and responded no comment to all questions at police interview. They all pleaded guilty - although not at

the earliest opportunity - to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. The court heard all three of the defendants had no previous convictions and were all supported by strong, stable

families who had attended court with them in a busy public gallery. Owen Williams, for Loddo, 25, of Beulah Road in Rhiwbina, submitted his client could potentially be dealt with, given his

previous clean character, via a suspended prison sentence alongside a rehabilitation requirement. “He comes from a very supportive family,” Mr Williams told Judge Daniel Williams. “His

mother and grandmother are in court today. He lives with his parents and his siblings and he is very much supported by them. Article continues below “He works in the music recording industry

and he had recently signed a contract with a record label and was recording music and creating videos and that was something he was receiving an income for. His income at this stage is

minimal but he wants to be profitable in due course. He describes himself as being teetotal after realising he behaved in the way he did after consuming alcohol to excess.” Harry Baker, for

Ford, 24, of Sunnybank Close in Whitchurch, said: “He’s had no further offending since this matter. He’s pleaded guilty. He’s got no previous convictions. He has stable accommodation. He has

supportive family relationships and his brother has come with him to all the hearings. “I suspect he didn’t do well at school because I suspect he might not be the brightest and he is

easily led. That might not be the most politically correct thing to say. He is assessed by probation as having a low risk of reoffending and it’s thought alcohol tag might be appropriate

with a rehabilitation activity requirement. “I’d ask your honour, considering his good record, whether you could draw back and impose a suspended sentence with a rehabilitation activity

requirement to assist him to remain of the best character he can be.” Hannah Friedman, for Nikisi, 23, of Caerwenalt in Pantmawr, said: “He has a supportive family who are sitting in court

today. He is originally from Zimbabwe and moved to the UK in 2008 and has moved around the country. “His father is a veterinary surgeon and he has a very stable family life. He has expressed

genuine remorse. He’s genuinely apologetic and remorseful.” Ms Friedman said Nikisi has been working for the National Deaf Children’s Society and was about to begin a placement conducting

ultrasound scans. “He would be able to fit in a day’s unpaid work alongside that,” she said. She told the court he also had no previous convictions. Judge Williams retired for 30 minutes to

consider sentence. When he returned he told the men in the dock: “George Clark was walking with friends to St Mary Street and for some reason you singled him out. “Each of you are at a loss

to explain why you behaved the way you did. In no small measure it was a reflection of how much you’d had to drink that night. “Loddo, it is clear from the footage that you were spoiling for

a fight. Mr Clark became surrounded by you and others. He must have been terrified. He did nothing to attract the sort of attention you gave him. “The violence was protracted and it ended

with him being taken to the ground and the three of you acting as a pack, kicking and stamping on defenceless Mr Clark to his head. They were vicious and cowardly blows. “Mr Clark fractured

his jaw and suffered a displaced fracture and a broken nose. He had multiple bone fractures. In April 2025 he had braces fitted to his jaw and teeth and has to use dental retainers for the

rest of his life. He also attends counselling for what you did to him. “His world is darker and has diminished because of your mindless attack on him. The three of you are now between 23 and

25 years old. “I’ve no doubt your family and friends are bewildered and devastated to see you here facing sentences which will punish them too. But you are where you are because you did

what you did. “Mr Clark was vulnerable. He was horribly exposed to the brutal violence you used on him. No doubt those calling for this court’s leniency would be equally calling for the

appropriate punishment if their loved one was assaulted in the way you assaulted Mr Clark.” Article continues below Issuing 20% credit for their late guilty pleas Loddo received 19 months

and Ford and Nikisi both received 16 months. They must serve half of that in custody. Judge Williams asked dock officers to take the men down while relatives cried in the public gallery. One

of the defendants remonstrated with the court before Judge Williams demanded he go down to the cells. _DON’T MISS A COURT REPORT BY SIGNING UP__ __TO OUR CRIME NEWSLETTER HERE_