Kidnap victim breaks pupil's arm in baseball bat attack

A KIDNAP victim haunted by his ordeal launched an unprovoked attack on a teenager walking home from school.

Nathan Thompson - who was bundled into a car, punched and stabbed in October - was given three years' youth detention for hitting 17-year-old Joe Harvey with a baseball bat.

Thompson, 19, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent in the Royal Court trial but his defence advocate, Sara Mallett, claimed he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

While on remand he had come face-to-face with his kidnapper several times, she said. He had been threatened by him and security stepped up in prison.

Advocate Garry Perry, prosecuting, said that on 20 March this year the defendant was sitting on top of scaffolding at his home in Les Amballes, St Peter Port.

At 4.30pm, Mr Harvey was walking home from school at Elizabeth College, when he heard someone shouting at him. He was listening to music so took out his headphones and shouted up to Thompson, "I'm sorry?"

Thompson swore loudly at the victim before jumping down from the scaffold with a baseball bat. He told Mr Harvey that he was going to hit him on the head before swinging the bat at him. The victim's arm was broken when he raised it to block the blow, Advocate Perry said.

Thompson swung again, hitting his body. Mr Harvey managed to disarm him by getting him in a headlock but the defendant bit hard on his finger and headbutted him, splitting his lip.

They scuffled and Thompson was left with bruises.

Mr Harvey reported the incident to police, who arrested Thompson once identified.

He eventually took full responsibility for the incident.

Advocate Mallett said her client was suffering from stress after he was kidnapped.

He had 42 offences - including traffic offences - on his criminal record, but none was for assault.

'He's still a relatively young man,' she said. 'For a young man he has had a lot to deal with in his life.'

A letter was given to the court from his mother, who said that he had been self medicating with alcohol to cope with the kidnap.

They were seeking help, but it had come too late. He had been drinking on the day, which had mixed with his medication.

'This has caused him to take a step back,' Advocate Mallett said. 'He was genuinely in turmoil. This has caused him to take stock of his life. He has engaged with various services.'

He has written a letter to his victim apologising.

'People walking in the street deserve protection,' said Royal Court Judge Russell Finch. 'We sympathise, but that does not give you reason to assault a 17-year-old on their way home from school. You are in danger of wasting your life if you do not take up the help available to you.'

Thompson was sentenced to three years' youth detention to start from when he was remanded in May.

He will also serve 14 days at the same time for breaking his supervision order.