Thug launched ‘wicked and unprovoked attack’ on young woman in town centre McDonald’s

Kody Bates, 28, viciously attacked the young staff member when he walked into the McDonald’s on Knowsley Street, Bolton town centre at 10am on October 8, 2023.

Nearly two years on Bates was brought before Bolton Crown Court to answer for his crime, which was shown on CCTV.

Prosecutor John Richards said: “He can be seen, he walks up to her and strikes her in the face.”

He added: “She obviously wasn’t expecting that and could not defend herself in anyway.”

Kody Bates attacked the woman at the McDonald’s on Knowsley Street (Image: Newsquest) Bates watched on via video-link from prison as Mr Richards told the court how without any provocation whatsoever, he had punched the young woman three times.

Mr Richards said that the victim had to go to hospital but was fortunately discharged later that same day.

Bates was eventually recognised by a police constable earlier this year and was arrested and interviewed on May 31 when he denied his crime in a prepared statement.

According to Mr Richards the innocent young victim had been working at two jobs at the time to help support herself and her family.

He said she was left “deeply fearful of losing her sight” and struggled to leave the house on her own, suffering from recurring nightmares and was left uncomfortable around men.

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Anthony Moss) Mr Richards said: “Because she couldn’t see his face, she lives in persistent fear that he could be anyone.”

From his prison booth Bates, who has 14 previous convictions for 28 offences, repeatedly blurted out “there wasn’t irreversible injury!”

His previous convictions included battery, threatening behaviour, a section 47 assault, possession of a bladed article and several others.

Bates eventually pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Ben Berkson, defending, said Bates deserved credit for his guilty plea and said it was “fortunate that the injuries in this case to the victim were not as serious as they could have been.”

He said Bates had struggled with his mental health and with his time in prison since being remanded but that he had made a formal complaint to the prison authorities.

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Mr Berkson said that Bates, of Vermont Street, Halliwell, also wanted to use his time in prison to engage with mental health support services.

But Recorder Michael Blakey reminded that court that Bates’s victim “did absolutely nothing to you whatsoever and so was not expecting to be attacked.”

He added: “This was a wicked and unprovoked attack on an innocent young lady.”

Recorder Blakey jailed Bates for 22 months.

Source – INDIA TV