Sentences in GBH case which started six years ago

The case was first brought before the courts in 2019

Three men who admitted attacking a man on a footpath seven years ago have received suspended prison sentences.

Lewis Harborn, 25; Mark Idiens, 25; and 24-year-old Alexander Green, all from Telford, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm without intent over the violence on the Silkin Way path in the town in January 2018.

Idiens also pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article.

The defendants had previously pleaded not guilty, with the original trial date set for September 2019, but the case was then rescheduled five times over seven years before the defendants were re-arraigned and their guilty pleas entered on 14 January this year.

Their sentencing date was also delayed a number of times, but Harborn, from Calcott; Idiens of Roberts View; and Green of Whitworth Drive all appeared before Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday.

Harborn and Green were both given 12-month prison sentences, suspended for 18 months.

Idiens was given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 20 months.

All three were ordered to carry out unpaid work, go on a rehabilitation course, pay £750 in costs and £750 in compensation.

Court delays

A trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court had originally been fixed for September 2019 after the men pleaded not guilty to the offences.

A problem at the court meant it had to be rescheduled for November 2020, but again the court could not fit in the case. An effort to hear the matter in February 2022 also failed.

A new trial was then set for November 2022 but further problems with court availability, meant the case was delayed again, until April 2024.

Then on the day the six-day trial was due to begin, the court removed it from its listings, as an existing trial had overrun.

A new trial was then set for January 2025, but at that point the men chose to change their pleas to guilty before being sentenced on Friday.