Two drug-fuelled thugs are jailed after street brawl

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Wednesday, March 9, how Zaccary Sedgwick, 23, and Mark Elson, 28, were caught brawling on CCTV on Beetwell Street with horrified people and children watching on.

Prosecuting solicitor Sarah Haslam said: “This is an area renowned for anti-social behaviour and drug-taking and a fight took place between these defendants and it was caught on CCTV.

“Sedgwick is shown throwing the first punch and then both defendants throw punches at each other and as the fight breaks up Sedgwick walks away.”

The CCTV footage showed the defendants facing each other off about 3pm, on January 18, and engaging in a fight as Elson pounds Sedgwick’s back before a man attempted to break them up.

Sedgwick told police he could not remember much about the incident and explained he had taken legal highs and initially described the incident as a scuffle.

Despite telling police he thought it had been amusing he became apologetic when police asked how others would have felt seeing the fight.

He also claimed Elson had spat on a female friend which had triggered the incident.

Sedgwick, of Kingsley Avenue, Grangewood, Chesterfield, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and to breaching a suspended sentence for a previous assault and to breaching a conditional discharge for failing to pay a rail fare.

Defence solicitor Steve Brint said Sedgwick had turned to drink and drugs when he was 13-years-old and has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression and he used to live on the streets.

Mr Brint added: “He says he was horrified by his actions and drugs and drink were the reasons behind these actions and these are something he wants to get rid of.”

Elson told police he was homeless and claimed Sedgwick is a bully and they hated each other and he had retaliated after Sedgwick attacked him.

He also explained that he had taken a legal high and someone had previously attacked him further down the road.

Elson, of No Fixed Abode, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and failing to surrender to custody.

Defence solicitor Denny Lau said Elson is homeless and leads a chaotic lifestyle and the incident had been sparked after someone had sprayed aftershave or foam on him.

Mr Lau added that Elson has also suffered with depression and anxiety which has not helped his drinking situation.

District Judge Andrew Davison told Sedgwick: “I have looked at the CCTV and there was a fight in broad daylight in Chesterfield town centre with people and children around.

“You cannot behave like that in a public place. The public won’t tolerate it and the courts won’t tolerate it.

“You and Elson engaged in a significant fight. It was not a case of handbags. There were lots of punches thrown by both of you and it was broken up by a man and good for him.

“The incident lasted five minutes which is a long time for an incident of violence.”

District Judge Davison sentenced Sedgwick to 20 weeks of custody and sentenced Elson to 14 weeks of custody. Both must also pay an £80 victim surcharge each.