Man fined for filming attack

A Shrewsbury man who filmed youngsters punching and kicking another child on his mobile phone has been ordered to pay almost £900.

Cain Clover, of York Road, Shrewsbury, admitted a charge of cruelty to a person under the age of 16 on June 20.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court today recorder Barry Berlin fined the 33-year-old £500 and ordered him to pay £386 in costs.

Mr Max Bennett, prosecuting, said Clover filmed two children punching and kicking another child.

He said that Clover later showed the footage to another person and the matter was subsequently reported to the police.

"He was asked by the police how he felt - he said gutted and guilty," Mr Bennett said. He added that the child that was assaulted did not receive any injuries.

Mr Daniel White, for Clover, said his client was "extremely remorseful" for his actions.

He said: "It was a moment of madness. He did not trigger the violence. Rather than intervening, he decided to video them on his phone."

Mr Berlin told Clover: "Quite what was going through your mind heaven knows.

"You must realise that behaviour of this kind - not stopping what could have been a quite serious incident - is a serious matter."