Four people jailed for a 'feral, vicious and savage attack' in Derry city centre

Two men and two women who took part in what a judge called a feral, vicious and savage attack on a man who came to the assistance of a woman who had collapsed on a city centre street in Derry last year, have each been jailed for two years at the local Crown Court.

The four jailed are Yasmin Anderson, 26, from Beachlands in Carnlough, Gareth McClurg, 32, with an address at Spencer Road in the Waterside area of the city, Teresa McGrath, 33, from Patrick Street close to the scene of the attack and Kurtis Edgar, 28, with an address at Carlisle Road.

All four pleaded guilty to fighting and making an affray outside the former Bank of Ireland building at Strand Road on May 8 of last year.

All four of them had significant criminal records. Edgar had 105 previous convictions, McClurg had 93 previous convictions, McGrath had 40 previous convictions and Anderson had 12 previous convictions.

CCTV footage of the unprovoked attacked was shown in court before the four were sentenced. It showed all four defendants carrying out a concerted attack on a man who'd come to the assistance of the women. 

The victim was kicked and punched and his car was damaged during the incident which was witnessed by his three children who were sitting in an adjacent car.

Judge Neil Rafferty KC said the four defendants "acted in concert with each other in a piece of almost feral violence where a Good Samaritan is set upon and attacked in the city centre while trying to help a woman in obvious distress.

"This was a completely appalling incident. The victim in this case reported to the police an ongoing fight in the city centre. He saw a female prone on the ground and he tried to stop the fight to help her at which point all of the defendants turned on him. He was kicked and punched and his vehicle was damaged. His three children witnessed their father being attacked and their family car being damaged.

"This was a drink and drugs fuelled vicious, savage almost feral attack on this gentleman. It was an appalling offence committed in broad daylight in the city centre. His three children must have been terrified. I repeat it was a feral and savage attack upon a man who was a Good Samaritan."

All four will be on licence for 12 months following their release from custody.