A martial arts fighter has been sentenced for a vicious assault that left a vulnerable man with a brain bleed in Nottingham. Kanan Scotney, 30, received a 16-month suspended sentence for the unprovoked attack that occurred on August 16, 2023.
The incident took place in the beer garden of a pub on St James’s Street around 10.30pm Scotney punched the victim once in the face, causing him to fall backwards and strike his head on a table before hitting the floor. The attacker then left the scene without checking on the victim’s condition, only to return later to search for a lost bracelet.
The victim, who had a pre-existing serious health condition, was rushed to the hospital where doctors discovered a brain bleed. This injury was particularly concerning given the man’s vulnerable state.
Scotney, of Hereford Road, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent. On October 8, Nottingham Crown Court handed down a 16-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
Detective Sergeant Simon Carter of Nottinghamshire Police commented on the case, saying, “Scotney may not have been intending to cause the injuries he did but is a powerfully built man who is trained in martial arts. Just one punch can become a life-changing event for both the offender and the victim.”
DS Carter stressed the seriousness of such violence, particularly in the night-time economy, stating that it “will always be met with a robust response from the force.”
