Cockayne faces jail over assault
HULL Kingston Rovers fullback Ben Cockayne faces a prison sentence for taking part in an "appalling" assault in which he repeatedly kicked and punched a man.
Cockayne, 25, has been remanded in custody by a judge at Leeds Crown Court after he was shown CCTV footage of the rugby player taking part in a frenzied attack on 21-year-old Kiel Thompson.
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Ben Cockayne
It happened as he left a bar in the West Yorkshire town of Normanton on November 10, 2007.
Judge Alistair McCallum said Cockayne "thoroughly deserved" to go to prison after watching the footage which showed the Robins star repeatedly kick Mr Thompson.
At the time, the victim was on the floor and Cockayne lifted Mr Thompson's head off the ground before continuing to kick his face.
He was then seen to leave the victim, but return shortly after to continue the attack.
Cockayne previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, along with his co-accused Steven Hayward, 20, a rugby player for Castleford Tigers Academy side.
Judge McCallum has adjourned sentencing the pair until Thursday due to the "appalling" nature of the attack.
He said: "The sentence that I pass upon them is going to affect them greatly. I am minded to take some time to think about it.
"At the moment I am thinking of a custodial sentence for both of them.
"Anyone who saw that video saw graphic, appalling, vicious behaviour. He was getting pounded. Both of them thoroughly deserve to go to prison. I shall not make any promises."
The court was shown a DVD of five men, including the two defendants, attacking the victim after he had initially struck one of their friends in self-defence, knocking him out cold.
Cockayne's barrister, Chris Dunn, said his client had experienced flashbacks to his time when he served in Iraq when he saw his friend lying on the floor.
A spokesman for Hull KR said: "The club are unable to comment until sentencing on Thursday."
19 Comments
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by Lindsey Appleyard, Normanton
Wednesday, April 01 2009, 8:56PM
“I will have you know the supposed Victim as no job, beats his girlfriend every other weekend and is a complete looser!! Ben was only trying to protect her but i am sure the East Hull Supporters Pass Holder as got the "CCTV" and knows it all. so all you loosers carry on slagging somone off you dont even know!! GET A GRIP.......”
by Roy Orbison, Hull
Wednesday, April 01 2009, 1:57AM
“RE PAUL NOTTINGHAM; "sad lonely muppets who comment on these stories" You mean like you have done? Ashames of people who post on public forums with a view or ashamed of professional sportsmen representing the city who kick peoples head in outside nightclubs? Make your mind up pal.”
by Charles, Cott
Wednesday, April 01 2009, 1:07AM
“Cool down, await the judges verdict. You do not get remanded in jail for no reason. The jails are already full to overflowing; obviously the judge thinks there is reason to remand so what's the problem?
"Cockayne previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm" says it all don't you think?
They could profitably lose the key.”
by Paul, Nottingham
Wednesday, April 01 2009, 12:17AM
“I am from Hull and was proud of the fact but not anymore. Not because of all the negative news but because of the constant reading of all the comments made by sad lonely muppets who comment on these stories. Its the same few who feel they live in perfect worlds and don't get enough attention from their mums who always comment! what a truly pathetic bunch”
by absolutely, appalling
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 8:18PM
“Hang on a minute!! Its not ruff round east hull,,!! Who do u all fink u r??? Givin out leture's!! I would rather b east hull than west Hull!!!!! n wat about gareth raynor then???? u fc scum bags!!
You just wait until u play the big boys!!
not rough look at the writing
enough said
oh and there is a c in lecture”