A MAN who launched an unprovoked attack on four unsuspecting youths, including a 15-year-old girl, has avoided immediate custody.

Philip Richens, aged 24, of Upper Howsell Road, Malvern, admitted breaching a suspended sentence order when he pleaded guilty to four charges of assault by beating.

However, Worcester magistrates said Richens had made progress to address anger and drink issues since the attack on November 6 last year and chose not to activate the sentence.

Louise Mead, prosecuting, said the four youths – three 17-year-old males and the 15-year-old girl – were walking through Malvern when they were set upon by Richens.

Mrs Mead said earlier in the evening another group of youths had caused Richens’s girlfriend, who was eightand- a-half months pregnant at the time, some distress by walking in front of her car.

Reading statements from the four victims, she said: “They saw a man in a black car. He got out and his attitude was aggressive. He ran towards [one of the males], who was punched in the mouth.”

Richens started punching a second male, who he pushed over a car and punched at least another four times.

“The girl then confronted Richens who said, ‘I don’t care if you’re a girl’ and hit her in the face,” said Mrs Mead. “The third male was then punched to the floor and was punched and kicked while on the floor.

“The defendant’s girlfriend got out of the car and told him to stop and he got back in the car and drove off.”

Police were called and Richens was interviewed.

He told police he had drunk three pints of cider before his girlfriend picked him up from the pub.

He said he had confronted a group of about 10 youths but initially denied hurting anyone.

The court was told Richens received an 18-month suspended sentence order in June last year after he was caught drink-driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

Sam Lamsdale, defending, said: “He’s very ashamed of his behaviour, alcohol played a part. Since the incident he has taken steps to curb his behaviour.

“He’s been working very hard to deal with his emotions and not to lose his temper again.”

Richens was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison for each of the assaults, to run concurrently, suspended for 18 months and his current suspended sentence order was extended by six months.

He was made the subject of a six-month curfew between 8pm and 6am, must complete 160 hours of unpaid work and attend anger management sessions.

He was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to each of the victims and costs of £150.