Tuesday, 12 October 2010

DJ 'Smokin' Joe Stomped Out


A nightclub reveller - high on a cocktail of booze and cocaine – has been jailed after leaving a popular Australian DJ with a fractured jaw and eye socket after delivering a “violent and gratuitous kick.”

University dropout Yusif Hassan, 31, of Radcliffe Way, Northolt, Middlesex was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for maliciously wounding 26 year-old ‘Smokin’ Joe Mekhael, inflicting grievous bodily harm, in Smithfield meat market on June 13, last year.

Southwark Crown Court was told the pair began brawling at 5.30am and CCTV showed Hassan returning to deliver a final kick to the face of defenceless Mr. Mekhael (pictured) as he lay on the ground.

Father-of-four Hassan, who has just completed a twenty-six month robbery sentence, claimed self-defence and told police the victim called him an “Abbo” as they left the club.

New South Wales native Mr. Mekhael, who also suffered two cuts to his lip and swelling to his cheek, refused to sign a police statement and returned home a few weeks later.

Prosecutor Mr. Nicholas Dunham told the court the fight was witnessed by market worker John Barnes.

“He saw Hassan aim two kicks at the smaller man. He saw Mr. Mekhael in the foetal position with his head exposed and Hassan returned and kicked him in the head. He was sickened by the fact there was nothing the victim could do.”

CCTV captures Hassan making a “who’s next” gesture to onlookers.

He was arrested after a cabbie followed him and was found with bloodstained shoes.

When quizzed Hassan claimed: “I was jumped by four guys from the BNP. It was self-defence.”

Mr. Jeremy Lynn, defending, told the court: “He was insulted by Mr. Mekhael and then ended up having a fight.

“He is disgusted by his own behaviour. He had been drinking and also tested positive for cocaine.”

The lawyer described Mr. Mekhael as a: “Ferocious-looking individual. Muscle-bound and fit.”

After quitting a bio-chemistry degree course Hassan has racked up fourteen offences, including criminal damage, robbery and possession of drugs.

“He has spent the last eight years drinking and taking drugs and not looking after his family,” explained Mr. Lynn.

Judge Nicholas Lorraine-Smith told burly shaven-headed Hassan: “You had been out drinking and taking drugs. It was clearly a pretty vicious fight and ended with you leaving him on the ground.

“You walked away, but you then changed your mind, returned and delivered a vicious and gratuitous kick to the face of that man as he lay defenceless on the ground.”

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