Two retired police officers were left with serious injuries after being attacked by a group of men in Stoke-on-Trent, a court heard. One victim suffered a bleed on the brain and the other a fractured cheekbone after they were battered and kicked while unconscious. Three men have been jailed.
Attack near Salvation Army hostel
The assaults happened on August 28, 2025, near the Salvation Army hostel in Stoke, prosecutor Alison Whalley told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. The victims had been in The Liquor Vaults and one had left a bicycle chained up outside, the Stoke Sentinel reports.
When he went to leave at 9pm he realised the front lock had been cut. After reviewing CCTV footage, he found it had been done by John Martin and others. The retired officers went to the Salvation Army, in Vale Street, to try to find Martin.
Miss Whalley said: "They approached Martin and asked him to wait there while they phoned the police. A group of four men including Wright and Hopper came around the corner and surrounded the complainants. All parties began to remonstrate. An attack broke out."
Victims kicked and stamped on
One officer scuffled with Wright and Hopper in the centre of the road. The other officer called the police. Hopper punched the officer to the side of the head, knocking him unconscious in the road. Wright kicked him in the head. The attackers took the officer's iPhone, push bike, bank cards, and air pods.
Both victims were taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital. One officer had two fractures to his cheekbone and a cut to the back of his head. The second had two bleeds on the brain, she said.
In victim statements, the retired officers spoke of the profound effect the attack has had on them. One is very worried about the bleeds on the brain. He was left shaken and now suffers with anxiety. He added: "This incident has had a lasting and significant impact on my physical health, emotional wellbeing and confidence. I am still dealing with the consequences months later."
Sentences handed down
The second ex-officer said: "I was attacked by Wright and Hopper. I was kicked to the head. I required surgery and had metal plates inserted into my face. I still feel the effects of the attack, physically and emotionally."
All three defendants were convicted of two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent following a trial. Wright, 37, who has 20 previous convictions for 45 offences, was also convicted of handling stolen goods. He was jailed for a nine-year extended sentence made up of eight years custody and a year extended licence.
Martin, 32, who has 16 previous convictions for 53 offences, pleaded guilty to the attempted theft of the bicycle. He was jailed for six years. Hopper, who has 53 previous convictions for 110 offences, also pleaded guilty to common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm on June 8, 2025 and two charges of assault by beating on January 20 this year. He was given an 11-year extended sentence.
Recorder Sunil Khanna said he could not say the weapon was used in the attack. He added: "Both victims were subject to a terrifying attack. Martin handed a weapon to Hopper. Both men were knocked to the floor, kicked and stamped on in the head while unconscious. One had two fractures of his left eye and cheekbone and a cut to the back of his head. The other had bleeds on the brain."
