Woman ploughed down by car and man slashed with sword leaving him 'shell of his former self'
A man and a woman were set upon with swords during a terrifying and unprovoked attack in Wakefield.
The pair were walking in Townley Road in the early hours of December 23 last year when a Golf being driven by Adam Pidcock, 49, drove past them. Prosecutor Michael Smith told Leeds Crown Court on Monday: "It [the car] then reversed at speed towards them, colliding with the woman and knocking her to the floor but only hitting the man with a glancing blow. They had headed towards the car at first thinking it was to deal drugs.
"They went to the other side of the road from where she was hit and the car drove off but returned before two men got out armed with long blades. They stabbed and slashed the man before running to the car, getting in and driving off."
Read more: Man rushed to hospital after Wakefield attack as four teens arrested
When asked why they had done that at the scene, Mr Smith said Pidcock's 17-year-old co-accused, who fell to be sentenced for wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon, said: "Because we can, innit."
The prosecutor said the woman was left with "extensive bruising" and the man suffered wounds to his right thigh, left thigh and buttocks area. Mr Smith said: "It was an intentional attack which was a joint enterprise for some unknown reasons. The car was burnt out that morning and the defendants identified and arrested. They made no comment. Adam Pidcock did not give evidence at trial but the 17-year-old denied his presence at the scene."
Pidcock was found guilty of dangerous driving, attempted grievous bodily harm, wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. He had previous convictions on his record for offences including common assault, possessing class A drugs, dwelling burglary and drug-driving. The teenager had no previous convictions.
The woman said in her police statement she was suffering nightmares and sleepless nights as well as "serious psychological harm".
In a victim impact statement, the man said: "The attack has left both long-term and short-term effects on my health... I'm unable to go out by myself due to my anxiety. Whenever a car door opens I feel my anxiety go through the roof. I feel unable to go back to my flat due to the fear my window will be smashed or my flat set on fire...
"It has left my life empty... It ruined my relationship as well. It ended on Christmas Day due to my ex fearing for her safety too. I feel a shell of my former self. It took many years to get myself a decent life, work wise. I struggle to sleep now due to pain and bad dreams. I'm struggling to understand, 'Why me?' And what I did to deserve this unprovoked attack."
Mr Smith told the court one sword had been recovered from an address associated with the youth.
Zareen Alam Cheetham, for Pidcock, said: "He, of course, didn't give evidence. He has now, however, provided an account in the pre-sentence report as to the rationale. He is ultimately the maker of his own misfortune. There is a different side to him. He has worked most of his life while he was trying to manage an addiction to amphetamine. He lost his job due to failing a drugs test.
"Prior to the offences, he came to misuse heroin and crack cocaine daily which led him down a path which the court sees all too often, leading to more serious offending."
The court heard while in custody, Pidcock has achieved an enhanced prisoner status and works in the kitchens preparing food.
For the teenager, Rupert Boswell told the court: "There must have been some premeditation but it is impossible to say to what degree by him. He was 16 at the time of the offence. I ask your honour to take into account his level of maturity."
Mr Boswell said the boy had a "disruptive childhood with gaps and absences in education".
His Honour Judge Clark made Pidcock the subject of an extended sentence of 16 years made up of an 11-year custodial term and a five-year extended licence period. He made the youth the subject of an extended sentence of nine years made up of a four-year custodial sentence and a five-year extended licence period.