Preston city centre fracas left man with deviated nose

Aivaras Kazikas, 37, of Lower Antley Street, Accrington, and Sam Pilkington, 28, of Cumbrian Way, Burnley, both pleaded guilty to affray and two thefts on October 4, 2017.

During the incident victim George Fiddler's bag and his friend Karl Robinson's phone were taken, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Prosecuting, Fraser Livesey described how Mr Robinson, Mr Fiddler and another man, Mr Griffiths, were out in Preston drinking on October 3.

Just after midnight they went to a shop for cigarettes and made their way down Friargate towards McDonalds, but a brawl broke out when Mr Griffiths was pushed by one of the defendants.

He added: " It is right to say for part of this event, though both were involved, it is difficult to say who did what.

"Mr Griffiths was knocked to the floor and there was a physical altercation with Mr Fiddler as well in which he was punched while on the ground and was kicked.

"He saw both defendants running off and realised he was bleeding.

"They ran off up the street, and Mr Robinson ended up on the ground as well. He was kicked to the side of his face and punched."

The court heard CCTV showed Kazikas attacking Mr Robinson.

Mr Fiddler suffered a deviated nose which had to be manipulated and straightened under a general anaesthetic four weeks later.

Kazikas was also sentenced for a separate case after he was found guilty of two counts of fraud by obtaining receipts for items from TK Maxx and taking items back that did not match the receipts, to obtain a profit

He received 14 months in jail, while Pilkington got 12 months.

The court heard it had taken 15 months between them being arrested and being summonsed to court, and the case was then further delayed by Covid.

But Judge David Potter ruled the sentences could not be suspended.

He said: " Both men were understandably apprehensive about going out again into the city centre.

"This was a serious incident of public disorder and the guidelines I'm required to follow by law are clear.

"This court has seen each of you in a violent streak, which when angered and fuelled, especially you Kazikas, by alcohol, you resorted to the use of serious violence in a public place."

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