Harlow: Two men jailed following investigation into serious assault

Two men have been jailed following an extensive investigation into a serious and unprovoked assault which left a man suffering lasting injuries.

Alfie Speed and Aaron Millest were found guilty of GBH by a jury in September, following a five-day trial.

The pair, both 19, were responsible for seriously injuring a man, aged in his 20s, in Harlow in January 2021.

Officers were initially called to the Quarry Springs area of the town by colleagues in the ambulance service shortly before 6pm on Thursday 28 January after a man had been found seriously injured.

Speedy enquiries found the assault had taken place behind the Purple Emperor pub, in Burgoyne Hatch, 30 minutes prior to the man being found.

We now know the victim was approached by the men in a wooden area behind the pub before being punched to the ground by Millest.

The victim was then kicked to his head and stamped on while he was on the ground.

After the assault, the victim managed to travel to Quarry Springs, where he collapsed and was found.

He was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition. Thanks to medical treatment, he has been able to recover, but continues to live with the lasting impact of the incident physically and emotionally.

As a result of quick work, both Speed and Millest were identified as being involved were subsequently arrested.

They were charged with Section 18 GBH with intent and Section 20 GBH without intent.

Both were found not guilty of section 18 but were found guilty of section 20.

Appearing at the same court on Friday 27 October, the pair received immediate prison sentences.

Speed was also sentenced for drug supply offences. He was jailed for 42 months.

Millest was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment.

'Victim left to deal with lifelong consequences'

Detective Inspector Lydia George, who led the investigation, said:

“This assault has left the victim dealing with the lifelong physical and emotional aftermath of two men’s violent and mindless actions.
“Both Speed and Millest waited for their victim, before punching and kicking him while he lay defenceless on the ground.
“Our investigation which followed was extensive, involving the piecing together of information and CCTV to prove the pair’s involvement.
“No sentence will give the victim his life back. It is only through excellent medical care he has been able to recover to some degree.
“While he continues to deal with the trauma of this attack, we hope the work of many at Essex Police in securing this conviction gives him a degree of solace.
"I would praise him for the patience and fortitude he has shown throughout this lengthy and difficult process.”

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