'Arrogant' attackers lied after assault on Bexhill teenager (From The Argus)

'Arrogant' attackers lied after assault on Bexhill teenager

11:20am Friday 27th July 2012 in News By Emily Walker, Chief Reporter

A soldier who beat a teenager almost to death lied to cover up the racist attack.

Guardsman Ashley Dacosta and his friend Jack Carrick colluded with each other to get their story straight after Dacosta punched 15-year-old Mo Bourner, leaving him in a coma.

Carrick then made phone calls and sent text messages to a teenage girl who witnessed the attack, scaring her into retracting her statement to police.

Mo’s parents, Peter Bourner and Rahma Adan, were told to expect the worst when Mo suffered 90% brain damage in the attack as he made his way home from a beach bonfire in De La Warr Parade, Bexhill, last October.

But the resilient teenager fought his way out of a coma and has managed to walk and talk again.

He has been able to return to his father’s home in Hooe, near Hastings, for visits from Tabworth Court in Surrey where he is receiving intensive therapy.

Dacosta, 20, of Silvester Road, Bexhill, admitted causing racially aggravated grievous bodily harm earlier this month but had denied perverting the course of justice.

During an eight-day trial at Hove Crown Court, Dacosta and Carrick, 25, of Manor Road, Bexhill, maintained their innocence but were yesterday both found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

Tailored evidence

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said Dacosta and Carrick had “tailored” their evidence to suit their version of events.

Carrick then made contact with the young witness.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Sloan, who led the Major Crime Team investigation, said: “I am pleased that the jury has found both men guilty of perverting the course of justice – it is another step towards justice for Mo and his family.

“It is over nine months since the mindless assault on Mo by Ashley Dacosta, who then had the arrogance to try to pervert the course of justice from behind his prison bars.

“I would like to thank again all those people who came forward and provided vital information – this has truly been a team effort in bringing Ashley Dacosta and Jack Carrick to justice.

“As always our thoughts are with Mo and his courageous family.”

Dacosta and Carrick were both remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Monday.