A BRUTAL attack left a man with severe life-changing injuries, a court heard.

Craig Lawrence Brown, 27, of Masefield Avenue, Joshua Darren Whiteway-Wilkinson, 28, of Brampton Road, and Kevin Richards, 27, of Escley Drive, all Hereford, all pleaded guilty to violent disorder, while Kirsty Lea Badlan, 31, of Maylord Orchards, Hereford, admitted affray.

Michael Aspinall, prosecuting, said victims Jonathan Richards and Michael Smith were walking home along Bridge Street in Hereford in the early hours of April 1, 2017, when they saw Richards and Badlan fighting.

They attempted to break up the fight, but were savagely beaten after Richards called Whiteway-Wilkinson and Brown as back-up. Badlan was not involved in the attack.

Mr Richards was kicked and stamped on until he lost consciousness, suffering nerve damage to his lip and facial scarring, while Mr Smith was left with a fractured tibia and fibia and a shattered ankle in the beating.

They were found lying on the ground after a passer-by heard the attackers shout “Let’s do one”.

Despite three surgeries since, Mr Smith has been left with a limp and has difficulty walking.

“His ankle may never be normal again,” Mr Aspinall said.

The court heard Mr Smith’s injuries had put him under severe financial strain, and his relationship had broken down.

“Seeing my friend’s head being stamped on and not being able to help him haunts me to this day. It was savage and inhuman,” Mr Smith said.

“It worries me that there are people out there who are so thuggish and brutal.”

In mitigation, the court heard Whiteway-Wilkinson has a complex form of autism.

Mark Thompson, for Richards, said he was ashamed of his out-of-character behaviour, which may have been influenced by a previous assault in which he was the victim.

Nicholas Berry, for Brown, said he had expressed empathy for the victims and was now moving in the right direction in life.

Mr Recorder Freeman sentenced Whiteway-Wilkinson, Brown, and Richards to two years in prison, suspended for two years and a two-month curfew. They must each complete 240 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days, and were each ordered to pay £300 in compensation to Mr Richards and £1,600 to Mr Smith.

Badlan was given a 12-month community order, a two-month curfew and 120 hours unpaid work. She must pay £100 to Mr Richards and £200 to Mr Smith.