Two jailed after baton attack on street cleaner

Two men have been jailed for an "unprovoked and extremely traumatic" attack on a street cleaner.

Cousins Zak Nicholson, 25, and Linval Nicholson, 42, targeted the man in his 50s with a baton and a liquid spray while he was cleaning in Swindon, Wiltshire, on 9 September last year.

Zak Nicholson, of Rodbourne, Swindon, pleaded guilty at Swindon Crown Court to grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and driving without a licence and insurance. He was jailed for four years and 11 months and told to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

Linval Nicholson, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to common assault and was sentenced to 14 days in jail, plus a £154 victim surcharge.

The court was told Zak Nicholson repeatedly hit the man in the head with a baton, causing serious injuries, police said.

Linval Nicholson chased the South Swindon Parish Council cleaner, swinging a rucksack at him, spraying liquid at him and verbally abusing him, the court heard.

A spokesman from the Swindon Local Policing team said the "unprovoked" assault, which was caught on CCTV, had caused the victim to fear for his life.

"Attacks on council workers who are simply doing their jobs will not be tolerated," the spokesman said.

"I would like to thank the victim for their support throughout the investigation."

Rebecca Banwell-Moore, from Swindon Parish Council, said no one should face violence in the workplace.

"This was an unprovoked and extremely traumatic attack on a member of our staff, one of our parish street cleaners, who works tirelessly to keep our community clean and tidy," she said.

"We are incredibly grateful for the bravery they have shown throughout this ordeal.

"We are pleased that justice has been served."

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