Pictured: Two louts with 20 previous offences combined shout ‘get in!’ and celebrate outside court as they avoid jail for booze-fuelled 4am fight – after arguing they were suffering with mental health issues
- James Robson, 26, and Liam Roof, 25, received suspended sentences for affray
- Roof kicked and stamped on a man 12 times while Robson punched him 16 times
Two men with a combined 20 previous offences to their names shouted ‘get in!’ and celebrated outside court after avoiding jail over an alcohol-fuelled early morning fight.
Best friends James Robson, 26, and Liam Roof, 25, faced up to three years behind bars for the incident, which took place at 4am on March 2 last year at the coach station near Terminal Two at Manchester Airport.
Despite both men having a history of violence and father-of-one Robson turning up to court drunk, they walked free with suspended sentences after after admitting affray – but arguing they had been suffering from depression.
After the hearing, the pair ran out of Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester and staged an animated goal-like celebration in the street, whooping with joy as bemused bystanders looked on.
Robson who had earlier been in tears in the dock, hurled his overnight bags to the floor before dancing around the concourse as Roof followed with his arms raised and attempting to hug his friend.
James Robson, 26, (left) and Liam Roof, 25, are pictured cheering outside a courthouse in Manchester, moments after they escaped jail due to their ‘mental health issues’
The pair faced being locked away for up to three years each after an alcohol fuelled 4am fight with another man at an airport bus depot
The fight occurred on March 2, 2022 when Robson and Roof encountered the other man at the coach station near Terminal Two at Manchester Airport.
Initially the group were drinking, shadow boxing and dancing but fighting then broke out between them.
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CCTV captured Roof and Robson flooring David Kalka, as the victim started backing away from them.
Roof then kicked and stamped on the victim 12 times while Robson simultaneously struck him with 16 punches to the head.
Saul Brody, prosecuting said: ‘When police arrived they found no trace of the individuals, however after viewing the footage officers managed to identify two males in the vicinity who matched the description.
‘Roof approached the police in an aggressive manner and waved his hands above his head at the time. Robson was attempting to calm his friend down and was seen with blood on his hands.
‘Robson told the police that ‘he had been bullied all of my life and so tonight I wanted to stand up for myself’ adding: ‘I helped my best mate because he had been attacked, so I punched the lad a few times.’
‘Mr Kalka, was also later arrested and found with slight bruising to his face. However, he did not cooperate with the police and refused any medical attention.’
Roof (pictured celebrating) kicked and stamped on the victim 12 times while Robson simultaneously struck him with 16 punches to the head
Father-of-one Robson (left), from Stockport, had seven previous offences on his record whilst Roof (right), of Cheadle, had 13 offences
Mr Brody continued: ‘The CCTV evidence showed the trio squaring off in a standoff and then Robson and Kalka engaged in a fight. Kalka was kicking out at Roof and then Robson then chased Kalka inside the terminal depot and took him to the ground. Once on the ground Roof began to kick him 12 times whilst Robson punched him 16 times with his right hand.
‘There were a few witnesses present at the time, mainly leaving the terminal and waiting in the bus depot in the early hours of the morning. When later questioned in interview the pair gave no comment.’
Robson, from Stockport, had seven previous offences on his record whilst Roof, of Cheadle, had 13 offences.
The pair were convicted in August 2022 for a public order offence at Parrswood bowling alley in Didsbury, where they were both drunk and disorderly.
During the hearing Robson, who was swaying in the dock repeatedly asked whether he could comment in court, to which the judge responded with a resounding ‘no.’
In mitigation his counsel Alistair Reid said: ‘Mr Robson has apologised to me, and to the court for turning up like this today but he is utterly terrified of going to prison. He acknowledges that he was drunk at the time of the offence.
‘The three men were all initially engaging well in good spirits before things took a turn. The victim began to goad Robson physically. On the third provocation, Robson didn’t back down. He said ‘I stood up for myself this time.’
The pair were convicted in August 2022 for a public order offence at Parrswood bowling alley in Didsbury, where they were both drunk and disorderly
Both men were sentenced to eight months jail suspended for 18 months and ordered to wear an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag
‘After the incident, there were some verbal comments given but after that, the two parties left each other and walked away. This is a man who needs to grow up, he needs to stop drinking. He had previously been sober for 10 weeks and made good progress. He wants to continue to be a role model to his 18-month-old son who is the pride of his life.
‘He fears the effects imprisonment will have and that he will miss out on those key stages of his son’s life. He is fit for work but suffers from depression and anxiety, he needs help to sort his life out.’
For Roof, Stuart Neale said: ‘He has attempted to take his life on a number of occasions and has suffered from depression since August 2021.
‘He knows that he is here for no one’s fault but his own. He needs the carrot and stick incentive of help. He needs input and support; he needs to move away from this.
‘The fight ebbs and flows and although it was short I admit it was sustained.’
Both men were sentenced to eight months jail suspended for 18 months. They also ordered to wear an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag – which alerts probation when they are drinking – for six months. Roof was also ordered to complete a 12-month thinking skills course.
Before being released from the dock, Robson said ‘I’m sorry, and sorry to my son as well. Thank you, your honour.’ to which the judge Mr Recorder Michael Blakey replied ‘don’t thank me.’
The judge warned both men: ‘If your behaviour doesn’t change both of you will go to prison as a consequence.’
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