Gang of 'racist hooligans' stabbed 17-year-old black youth as he ate alone in McDonalds, court hears

A racist gang of teenagers who  stabbed a 17-year-old eating alone in a McDonald's in an unprovoked attack have been sentenced for their role in the attack. . 

Jack Bint, Ryan Moore, Jason Galloway and Dominic Taylor descended on the fast-food restaurant on Linthorpe Road in Middlesbrough town centre on March 11, last year.  

The teenagers, along with a fifth man who will be sentenced at a later date, were captured on CCTV surrounding the black teenager, who was eating alone at a table in the restaurant.

One of the gang was jailed for three months, while others received a suspended sentence, community orders and a curfew 

Five teenagers attacked a 17-year-old boy who was sitting alone in a Middlesbrough McDonald's restaurant in March 2002

The restaurant, pictured, was closed for several hours following the attack in March 2020

After moments of 'posturing', the man was punched by one of the group and then injured by Bint, who delivered three blows to his abdomen while armed with a knife.

Following the shocking incident, which happened in front of horrified customers and staff, the group took off.

All four teenagers appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday to be sentenced.

Bint, 18, of Ormesby was charged with affray and possession of a blade.

Moore, 19, of Middlesbrough was charged with a public order offence and two charges of assaulting an emergency worker.

Galloway, 18, of Guisborough and Taylor, 18, of Redcar, were both charged with a public order offence.

Jon Harley, prosecuting, said the teens entered the McDonald's together, and CCTV showed them wearing jackets with their hoods up.

He said Taylor and Galloway played a 'peripheral role' in the incident.

The group could be seen surrounding their victim who was seated at a table, before Moore 'picked up a mop and then a chair'.

Mr Harley said there was a 'good deal of posturing' before a McDonald's employee intervened.

A fifth member of the group then punched the man before Bint 'approached from behind and punched him three times with a knife in his hand'.

Others then 'waded in with kicks' before they fled and employees locked the door to the restaurant.

Mr Harley said the victim sustained a stab wound to the abdomen and described onlookers as being 'horrified'.

CCTV showed the victim clutching his stomach while one female customer could be seen holding her hands over her mouth in shock.

One woman had been eating in the restaurant with her son at the time of the attack and said members of the group were making 'racist comments'.

Despite the injuries, the victim did not receive any hospital treatment, the court heard.

Teesside Live reported at the time how the victim posted a video on Facebook shortly after the attack showing he had been stabbed and saying: 'I'm fine everyone, I'm not dead yet'.

The attack led to a large police presence as the restaurant was closed for as investigations were carried out.

The teenagers were arrested, with most giving no comment interviews.

Mr Harley said that while on bail, Moore then went on to assault two police officers in April during a separate incident.

Paul Abrahams, defending Bint, said he pleaded guilty at an early opportunity and was of previous good character.

Rod Hunt, defending Moore, said he had a 'very troubled upbringing' and an 'erratic lifestyle', but had since had a 'short, sharp shock' while in custody.

Victoria Lamballe for Galloway said he had a 'troubled background', played a peripheral role in the incident and had 'expressed remorse and regret'.

Robin Turton, defending Taylor, said there were indications of 'autism and learning difficulties' and that he had also entered early guilty pleas.

Sentencing the group, Judge Paul Watson QC branded the incident as 'racist hooliganism' and said it was 'quite dreadful'.

He said the attack was 'borne out of a motive of racial hostility, there is no other explanation'.

Galloway and Taylor were both given a 12 month community order and must undertake 120 hours unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days.

Moore was jailed for three months and Bint was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He must also complete up to 40 rehabilitation days and was made subject to a six-month electronic curfew.