Norwich, England — A serious violent incident unfolded in February 2020 when a man in his fifties was brutally attacked by two young men, resulting in severe injuries. This disturbing episode culminated in a court appearance recently, revealing alarming details about the nature of the attack and the backgrounds of those involved.
Isiah Weekes, now 21, and his then 17-year-old co-defendant, Mohammed Miah, encountered the victim shortly after arriving in Norwich by train. According to prosecutor Jerry Hayes, the men encountered their target, who was intoxicated, outside the Nelson Hotel on Prince of Wales Road. The attack reportedly took place in the early hours of February 14, 2020, leaving the victim with significant wounds that included lacerations to the neck and arm and injuries to his abdomen.
In his address to the court, Hayes indicated that while the drunken victim had no recollection of the assault, the injuries sustained were notably severe. The violence of the attack was underscored by the fact that parts of it were filmed by Weekes, who recorded the incident on his phone alongside a message proclaiming, “Out on violence.” The prosecution described the attack as “totally random,” emphasizing that there was no premeditation involved.
During the court proceedings, Judge Anthony Bate remarked on the unsettling nature of the incident and the circumstances surrounding it. He stated that there was ambiguity regarding the events leading to the attack, noting that the pair “came upon” the victim before the ensuing violence took place. Weekes, facing sentencing for wounding without intent, has a criminal history that includes 12 convictions for 27 previous offenses.
As part of his defense, attorney Michael Clare stated that Weekes was only 15 years old at the time of the incident. He acknowledged that the defendant had attacked the man but asserted that Weekes had been provoked by racial abuse and did not have prior knowledge of the weapon that Miah used during the assault. Clare maintained that Weekes should not be held solely accountable for the victim’s injuries, especially since he filmed only parts of the brutal event at Miah’s encouragement.
Miah, who has no fixed address but previously resided in Bedfordshire, faces charges of wounding with intent related to the same attack. However, he was deemed unfit to enter a plea, and in August, a juror panel concluded that he bore responsibility for the violence that transpired. His sentencing is pending.
In handing down a two-year detention order to Weekes in a Young Offenders Institution, Judge Bate highlighted the influence that Weekes’ presence had in encouraging Miah throughout the attack. The judge’s comments reflected a broader consideration of the impact of peer influence in violent scenarios, which can exacerbate the severity of the outcomes.
As the court continues to address the implications of this violent incident, the community remains unsettled, grappling with the aftermath of an attack that has raised concerns about public safety and accountability among youth in similar circumstances.