Gang jailed for violent East Ham attack after gym argument which left victim with bleeding on the brain

A gang of four men who beat a man so severely he was left with bleeding on the brain after an argument in a gym have been jailed.

Kirtys MacKenzie, 30, of Beckton, and brothers Pierre Jacobs, 20, Andre Jacobs, 28, and Lewis Jacobs, 30, all of East Ham, were earlier convicted of GBH offences at Inner London Crown Court over the brutal attack.

MacKenzie was sentenced to four years and three months. Andre and Lewis Jacobs were sentenced for two years and three months and Pierre Jacobs was jailed for two years.

The court heard how the gang carried out the attack on May 16 last year in Clements Road, East Ham, an hour after an argument between the 35-year-old victim and Pierre Jacobs at a nearby gym.

They cornered the victim in their cars on the street before leaping out and pulling him from his vehicle, raining down a vicious 20-second attack which left him motionless on the floor.

MacKenzie returned around a minute later and stamped on the victim’s head.

The group remained at the scene and called police, claiming that they had detained him after he threatened them with a knife.

But police quickly realised that the victim was in fact seriously injured.

He was found to have suffered a collapsed lung, several bleeds to the brain for which he was placed in a medically induced coma, a fractured jaw bone, fractured rib and a fracture to a part of his spine.

Detectives said the victim is still recovering.

He is getting back to day-to-day activities gradually, however doctors have stated he will suffer long term effects of the brain injury causing changes to many cognitive functions. 

His injuries mean he is at a higher risk of developing epilepsy and the victim’s mental health has drastically deteriorated since the incident.

Met Detective Constable Joanne Trevor said: “The victim was outnumbered and didn't stand a chance. For some time it was not clear if the victim was suffering life-threatening or life-changing injuries, he could have lost his life that day.

“A great deal of work was involved in this case including obtaining medical evidence alongside expert opinions and CCTV. 

“We also obtained mobile phone data which uncovered communication between the defendants after the incident in the gym, leading to them finding the victim later on in their separate vehicles. 

“This evidence illustrated how those involved intended to cause serious harm to the victim and was key to the conviction.”