CCTV: Sailor's tears as he is jailed for 'sickening' attack
A SAILOR has been locked up for an early-hours clubland attack branded "sickening" by a judge – and captured in full on film.
Nathan Egan was caught on CCTV as he punched his victim to the ground, dragged him towards a wall and kicked him in the head.
The 23-year-old then appeared to go through the victim's pockets as the injured man lay unconscious in Union Street.
Plymouth Crown Court heard yesterday how Egan, a marine engineer, had joined Devonport-based warship HMS Ocean the same month as the attack.
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He sat in the dock looking at his feet while footage of the incident, which happened shortly before 5am on May 24, was played to Judge Graham Cottle.
Prosecutor Alistair Verheijen noted how Egan could be seen punching his victim once in the head, knocking him to the floor.
Egan then dragged the unconscious man by his ankles over towards a wall whereupon he kicked him in the head with force.
Egan is then seen looming over the unconscious man, chatting to his friends and hugging them before returning to Mr Johnson.
He then appeared to go through his pockets and pick up the unconscious man by the belt before throwing him back down again.
Mr Verheijen said the victim suffered a broken nose and abrasions to his arms. Egan was later arrested, shown the footage and admitted it was him, but claimed he had only kicked the prostrate man in the arm.
Mr Verheijen noted how Egan had previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly in Tamerton Foliot Road in May 2011, where he was verbally abusive to a police officer, and for affray in Union Street in February of the same year.
Judge Cottle asked Egan's character witness, David Barker, a divisional officer aboard HMS Ocean what he thought of the CCTV footage.
"It was quite shocking," Mr Barker replied.
He said Egan, of Albert Road, Stoke, had told him about the incident, claiming he had got involved in a fight with a man who had been verbally abusing his friend. Mr Barker said: "He has been apologetic and feels a lot of remorse about it."
When asked if the Navy wanted men like Egan, he answered: "We're hoping that this is a blip in his character."
But Judge Cottle argued it was not a "blip" as there had been two previous violent incidents where alcohol was involved.
Judge Cottle noted how Egan had pleaded guilty, but also noted how the footage "left you without any other option".
He said: "It's a sickening incident captured on that film.
"It shows you punching a man to the ground and while he is lying unconscious you go and kick him. And after that you are seen to be picking him up, turning him over, rifling through pockets and chucking him back to the ground.
"It is an appalling series of incidents and not the first time you've been in trouble for using violence on that street.
"These kinds of incidents, regardless of personal circumstances, cannot be allowed to go unpunished."
He sentenced Egan to nine months imprisonment and, as he was led away, he was seen to wipe away tears.
A Ministry of defence spokesman said: "In the case of a custodial sentence it is normal policy to consider an administrative discharge. However, it would be inappropriate to comment on an individual case.''
Comments
by PL1Plym
Friday, October 19 2012, 2:43AM
“Oh how I miss Union St.... NOT! I assume this low life is now an exe Matelot?”
by bluelady
Friday, October 19 2012, 12:52AM
“YOU SICK GIT HOW COULD YOU DO THAT FUNNY YOU HAD TO BE DRUNK TO BE HARD NAVY AND THE STREETS BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU”
by Grinder
Thursday, October 18 2012, 4:00PM
“As an ex serviceman i was trained not only to serve Queen and country but represent my Regiment and the Armed Forces in public. That means to stay out of trouble and don't cause trouble. Mr Egan has failed in his conduct and will be dealt with through military justice. Like pogle063 has stated it is most unlikely indeed that Mr Egan will stay in HM Forces.”
by cooperman23
Thursday, October 18 2012, 3:47PM
“homosexuals are now allowed to serve but it took years and years of fighting the case and i for one had no chance of a career in the services if i had wanted one for this reason.as many straight guy were only to willing to tell mE ! yet they take thugs ike this and even go to court to back him up.”
by pogle063
Thursday, October 18 2012, 3:12PM
“@ arkman there is nothing stopping homosexuals joining the armed forces the anti gay legislation was revoked years ago. Nothing stopping you from serving your country with pride now is there.
Also the last paragraph sums it all up when he is released from custody he will then be re-arrested by the military police and could be charged with bringing the service into disrepute and abscence from his place of duty - which could well see him locked up again or discharged.
So no he will most probably not be allowed to stay in the service.”
by PAFCOK
Thursday, October 18 2012, 2:19PM
“arkman....
"you can stay in the forces if your a sick thug and criminal but not if your a homosexual"
He won't remain in the Royal Navy with that on his record, rest assured, and homosexuals are indeed 'allowed' to serve, and have been for quite some time now. Other than these two oversights you are, of course, 100% correct!”
by arkman
Wednesday, October 17 2012, 5:43PM
“Makes me sick, you can stay in the forces if your a sick thug and criminal but not if your a homosexual....what a laugh”
by sambo
Monday, October 08 2012, 11:38AM
“sorry my bad he isnt in the navy now thank god :o)”
by sambo
Monday, October 08 2012, 11:37AM
“if the navy lets these kinda thugs in then i guess we are doomed !! i hope he gets a special lil friend in prison ,,, then u will know wat its like to be personally robbed whilst not expectin it !!!”
by jabbathebutt
Sunday, October 07 2012, 9:00PM
“The only good thing about this is that forever more he will be remembered for crying like the wimp he really is . He has to live with that forever ...”