Man jailed following “violent and sickening attack”

Two men who launched a brutal attack on a fellow bus passenger have been sentenced today (Thursday, 1 April).

James Byrne, 23, of Mile End was sentenced to 18 months in prison, while Alex Dallender, 22, of Whitechapel, was given an 18-month suspended sentence and fined £620, plus £1000 to be given in compensation to the victim.
Both had pleaded guilty to ABH on 2 March at Southwark Crown Court, and were sentenced today at the Old Bailey.The pair had punched and kicked a man following an argument on a bus. The attack took place on Leadenhall Street in the City in July 2009.They were identified after the attack, which was captured on CCTV, was shown on BBC’s Crimewatch programme.

City of London Police’s DCI Danny Medlycott praised the help of the public in identifying the men: “This was a particularly violent and sickening attack that left the victim needing emergency surgery to rebuild his nose. We will not tolerate this behaviour, and neither will the public, who responded quickly and in numbers following our television appeal to identify the men.”