Two men have pleaded guilty to the brutal beating of a man recorded on a doorbell camera.
Kieran Salkeld, 28, and Jake Duffy, 22, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning over the incident on the junction of Bedford Road and Highfield Road, Rock Ferry, on December 23.
Footage that circulated widely on social media had shown a car reversing down the road as the victim, named in court as Samuel Searson, runs away.
READ MORE: Suspects in Ashley Dale murder accused of possessing 'Skorpion machine-pistol'
Salkeld and Duffy can be seen chasing the victim, before one of the defendants grabs him and forces him to the ground in a front yard area. The pair are then recorded stamping on Searson repeatedly as a woman out of shot screams for them to "get off him".
Searson manages to clamber to his feet but Salkeld and Duffy continue to rain down punches. At one point one of the men says "leave it lad you're going to get nicked". The other replies "You think I give a s*** about getting nicked?".
One of the defendants then shouts to the screaming woman: "Mind your own business alright?, he's a little ken robber." Searson can be heard murmuring: "I don't rob kens lad", but the defendants carry on beating him until the clip ends.
Last month Merseyside Police announced Salkeld, of Enerby Close in Beechwood, and Duffy, of Arley Close, also Beechwood, had been charged with wounding with intent and affray. However today the pair were allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful and malicious wounding without intent.
Both also admitted affray. Judge Andrew Menary, KC, the Recorder of Liverpool, asked Katy Appleton, prosecuting, why the lesser pleas had been accepted.
She said: "The decision has been made having discussed the matter with those who instruct me, and given that the complainant is unwilling to support the prosecution."
The court heard the prosecution were unwilling to drop the affray charges because of the "clear presence of members of the public" as recorded in the video clip.
Daniel Travers, representing Duffy, and Charles Lander, representing Salkeld, said their clients did not requite a pre-sentence report, but Judge Menary said he had no option but to adjourn sentencing due to lack of court time.
Salkeld and Duffy were remanded in custody to appear for sentence on February 20.
READ NEXT:
Man gouged dad's eyes after being told football 'just a game'
Killer who bludgeoned his mum to death with hammer told to pay up £100,000
Met Office forecast as snow predicted on two days this month
Young mum died after thinking her symptoms were 'baby brain'
Boohoo's £20 dress spotted on Stacey Solomon at her baby shower
