Law student is jailed following brawl at Staffordshire University

A STUDENT has been jailed after he attacked a fellow undergraduate following a row in a lecture theatre.

Farooq Salman recruited a friend who ran up to David Benson and struck him with a bottle, Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday.

And law student Salman, aged 23, then joined in and kicked Mr Benson as he lay on the ground.

Prosecutor Tariq Shakoor said Mr Benson was sitting in a lecture theatre at Staffordshire University when he heard Salman shouting and being aggressive to a female student.

Sentinel Home & Garden Show

Hylands Ltd & Panasonic Store

View details

Print voucher

This Sunday between 11am & 4pm with FREE admission at the Moat House Hotel Festival Park we will be exhibiting with some special show offers, the weather forecast isn't good but our deals are

Terms: Visit us or pick up a voucher at the show to be eligible

Contact: 01782 342609

Valid until: Sunday, June 23 2013

He said: "Mr Benson moved closer to the defendant and told him to calm down. The defendant told him to go outside so they could sort it out."

The court heard others intervened and pulled the defendant back. But after the lecture Mr Benson was followed by Salman, CCTV images revealed.

Mr Shaqoor said: "Mr Benson turned round and saw a second man with a wine bottle in a carrier bag. That man hit him on the head with the bottle.

"The next thing Mr Benson remembers is being on the pavement.

"The defendant punched him a number of times to his arms and body and kicked him four or five times. The second man joined in kicking him."

Salman, and the other man, who was never apprehended, ran off.

Mr Benson was left with cuts, lumps and bruises and needed stitches.

Salman, now of Leighton Street, Croydon, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on November 14 last year. His plea was tendered on a basis he did not think his friend would use a weapon and his intention was to frighten Mr Benson, rather than attack him. But he accepted he kicked his victim.

Christopher Judson, mitigating, said Salman lost his place at university following the incident.

Judge Paul Glenn jailed Salman for 50 weeks.

Noel Morrison, Staffordshire University's academic registrar and director of student experience, said: "Incidents like this are very few and far between. We hope this case demonstrates that we do not tolerate violence and aggression on our campuses and we will take appropriate action."