(JNi.media) Moshe Fuerst, 17, who was felled by a single punch from an attacker was “lucky to be alive,” according to youth court judge in Manchester.
Joseph Kelly and Zach Birch, both 17, two drunken youths, on Saturday, September 5, at 11:25 PM, brutally attacked a group of Jewish boys at Bowker Vale tram station, then Kelly punched 17-year-old Moshe Fuerst, and after the boy had dropped to the ground kicked him as he lay there helplessly. Eventually, Moshe got up, vomited and was taken to hospital to be later discharged. But the next day he was rushed to emergency surgery after collapsing at the movies, and remained in a coma for four days.
According to the BBC, one of the attackers asked the Jewish boys, “Are you off to make some money?” an anti-Semitic remark that stereotypes Jews as money-hungry. One of the victims said they also spat on his yarmulke. According to the Manchester Evening News, Moshe spent four days in a coma, having sustained a fractured skull and a bleeding brain. The court heard a victim impact statement saying he is afraid to leave his house as a result of the attack. Three other Jewish boys, 18- to 20-year-old, suffered minor injuries.
Kelly, who attends college, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of assault by beating. He was sentenced to youth detention for 18 months. Birch, a painter and decorator, pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and two counts of assault by beating. He was sentenced to 12 months.
