A Wiltshire man has been jailed after kicking a homeless woman in the head as she sat defenceless in a Salisbury city centre.
Aaron Nomicas, 20, appeared before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday 6 March after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court heard that at around 3am on Saturday 17 January, he was walking through Market Walk when he violently kicked the woman in the head for no apparent reason.
The victim, who is in her 50s and homeless, was unknown to her Nomicas. She suffered facial injuries, which are not believed to be life-changing.
He had to be restrained by people he was with after the victim called him a coward.
The incident was reported to police later that day and an investigation was launched, supported by city centre CCTV.
Officers quickly identified and arrested Nomicas. The defendant, of Larkhill, was sentenced to six months in prison.
Watch footage of the incident unfolding on Facebook.
Sgt Joshua Bliss, from South CID, said: “This was a highly impactful case – the victim is incredibly vulnerable and had no way of protecting herself, or escaping from, this vicious and unprovoked attack.
“She was sat in Salisbury city centre with her dog, Lance, minding her own business and simply trying to keep warm.
“The suspect was unknown to the victim, and within only two hours of the investigation commencing, CID detectives and Neighbourhood officers identified and located the offender.
“In the victim’s account, she describes the offender as a ‘coward’. This is a sentiment shared by those involved in the investigation who saw the CCTV footage showing the attack.
“This court result should send a clear message – if you are someone who preys on the most vulnerable and defenceless members of our community, we will swiftly track you down and we will bring you to justice.”
