Suspended sentence for assault

Christopher Riley: remorse

Man went to police after TV appeal
An Oldham man travelled 190 miles to hand himself in to police after seeing CCTV on the BBC.

Christopher Riley (23), of Patterdale Close, was wanted by officers for punching Scott Huxtable, leaving him unconscious in an unprovoked attack in Bath, Somerset, on Valentine’s Day. The footage was shown on an edition of crime-fighting show “Crimewatch”.

CCTV footage captured the men in a row after they had both been drinking. Riley knocked the drunken 23–year–old Bath University student out with a single punch then walked away.

Bath magistrates handed him a five–month prison sentence suspended for 18 months after he admitted the assault charge. He was also told he must complete 200 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and pay Mr Huxtable £200 compensation.

Chairman of the Bench Diana Cooper said: “This was a serious assault. Having seen the clip on ‘Crimewatch’ you immediately handed yourself into police. You pleaded guilty and have shown remorse for your actions.”

Riley’s identity had remained a mystery for three months before the broadcast.



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