Violent “high risk” offender Anthony Crickett from Newbury broke victim’s leg over cocaine debt, court told

A DEALER with a history of violence shattered a customer’s leg bone over a drug debt, a court heard.

The victim suffered the most extreme pain of his life and needed surgery to install metal plates and pins to the multiple fractures, Reading Crown Court was told.

Anthony Crickett was branded a high risk of causing serious harm to the public in one report.

But he avoided jail once more following a glowing reference from an addiction project manager.

Katie Rowlands, prosecuting, said Crickett went to the grounds of the Two Saints hostel in Newtown Road, Newbury, and grabbed victim Tristan Pearce by the neck before dragging him out of sight behind a fence and maiming him.

He then threatened him further if he went to the police, the court heard.

Mr Pearce sustained “a grave injury with permanent conditions” and was hospitalised for weeks, she added.

Crickett, aged 36, who had been living at of Three Firs Way, Burghfield Common, and at Sayers Close in Newbury, initially denied unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Pearce on October 25, 2021.

He changed his plea to guilty on the trial day.

Crickett also has 19 previous convictions for offences including various assaults, harassment and a knife offence, resulting in either community penalties or a suspended sentence, the court heard.

Claire Evans, defending, said her client disputed that the injuries to Mr Pearce – who, the court heard, had an arm in plaster at the time – were caused by kicks and punches.

She said Crickett had merely “swept the legs from under him”.

Ms Evans went on: “This was a nasty serious injury… which has been fixed.”

While the incident was “regrettable”, she said, Crickett had been engaging well with drug and alcohol addiction services.

She quoted a letter written on her client’s behalf by Natalie Ridley, manager of a drug addiction treatment project, which said Crickett, a father of two, was currently enjoying a “successful, rewarding time in his life” and that prison would be “catastrophic” for him.

She added: “I look forward to watching him grow.”

Meanwhile, Crickett had been offered work with Newbury plasterer Stephen Birmingham, who accompanied him to court, said Ms Evans.

The judge, Recorder Edward Franklin, told Crickett: “You supplied Mr Pearce with cocaine the day before; he owed you £100.

“You grabbed him by the throat, pressing your thumbs on either side with firm pressure.

“You kicked his legs away and dragged him behind a fence; his leg was broken – he doesn’t know how you did that… it was the worst pain he had ever felt.”

The multiple fractures required plates and screws to be inserted, said the judge, who pointed out that the victim’s arm was in plaster at the time, rendering him vulnerable.

Mr Pearce was still on crutches and in pain six months later, added Recorder Franklin.

He said a report said the public remained at “high risk” of “serious harm” from Crickett and pointed out: “While on bail for these proceedings you were convicted for a carrying a bladed article.”

However, the judge said the drug project manager Ms Ridley had praised his engagement with her service and had written: “I know Anthony will be successful… I look forward to watching him grow.

“I’m excited for him and everything the future holds for him now.”

Crickett was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

In addition, he was ordered to pay £500 compensation and to pay his victim £500 compensation.