Drunk men attacked girl, then lashed out at people who came to her aid
The drama happened in broad daylight, in full view of families enjoying an afternoon in Victoria Park, close to the bandstand, the court was told.
As the violence spread, members of the public intervened to overpower the pair, detaining them until police arrived, said Claire Beards, prosecuting.
However, before officers arrived, several people who came to the aid of a 15-year-old female victim were either assaulted or abused.
Other horrified witnesses made statements to police.
Ms Beards said that Mateusz Piotr Taczyniec, aged 21, of North Walk, Theale, and 23-year old Maciej Kopczynski, of Circuit Lane, Reading, were “staggering drunk” which caused a group of youths to laugh at them.
They punched the teenaged girl and “the situation quickly deteriorated,” said Ms Beards, leading to a “large, violent public disorder”.
She added that one man was among those who tried to intervene to protect Miss Taylor, and went on: “The defendants made multiple efforts to punch and kick him.”
The pair were eventually overpowered and detained until police officers arrested them, the court heard, when they claimed to have no recollection of anything that had happened.
Ms Beards concluded: “There are a number of aggravating features to this case – the lack of provocation, the level of violence used, the vulnerability and age of some of the victims and the fact it was committed in broad daylight with children present.”
Both admitted causing affray on August 11 this year at a hearing last Thursday.
Mr Taczyniec has previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly and failing to surrender to custody. He has also been cautioned for being drunk and disorderly and failing to comply with a police officer’s directions.
Mike Kouvaritakis, defending, said that both men were “regretful and remorseful” and were hard working, Polish immigrants who had made a life for themselves in West Berkshire.
Sentencing was adjourned for reports and, when the court reconvened, each man was made subject to a 12-month community order with 200 hours’ unpaid community work requirement. They were also ordered to pay £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge.