Man dragged and kicked pubgoer in ‘vicious’ attack just days before Christmas

The victim suffered a broken nose and injuries to his face

A man dragged and kicked a pubgoer in the head in Peterborough just days before Christmas. Abdiftah Ahmed, 27, launched a “vicious” attack on the victim, who had just left a pub in Broadway and was looking for a taxi, at about 12.35am on December 22, 2019.

Ahmed dragged the man, who was in his 40s, to the ground and kicked him multiple times to the head. He then walked away but returned with his mobile phone and appeared to take a photo or video of the victim before kicking him twice more, according to Cambridgeshire Police.

Onlookers came to the victim’s aid, and he was taken to hospital with a broken nose and injuries to his face which required surgery.

An investigation was launched, with a police officer identifying Ahmed from CCTV footage. The 27-year-old was arrested and data from his mobile phone confirmed he was in the area at the time of the attack.

Ahmed, of Brantwood Road, Luton, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on October 26, 2020. An assessment initially deemed Ahmed mentally unfit to plead, leading to a significant delay in sentencing.

However on Tuesday, August 4, at Cambridge Crown Court, he was jailed for five years, having admitted a lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

Det Sgt Sarah Morgan said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a man who was simply trying to get home after a night out. It was a distressing experience for the victim and I’m pleased Ahmed has finally faced justice after a protracted court process.”