Man sentenced for kicking victim in the head during festive disorder in Falmouth
A man has been sentenced for kicking a defenceless victim in the head during Christmas disorder in Falmouth Town Centre.
The incident took place on 17 December 2024 with footage widely shared on social media due to the victim being dressed as Santa Claus at the time.
Abdulmutalip Kaya, 25, of Trelowen Drive in Penryn, appeared at Truro Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Tuesday 14 April after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Kaya – a Turkish national – was given a 12 month sentence, suspended for two years. He must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £2,500 to the victim.
Police were alerted two days after the incident when a video spread via social media showing the victim in fancy dress being kicked in the head by Kaya while defenceless on the floor.
The incident took place on Killigrew Street which was busy at the time with festive revellers.
Council CCTV captured the whole incident which showed disorder between two groups - one of which included staff from takeaways in the vicinity.
The footage showed the victim holding Kaya in a bear hug while Kaya was being assaulted by others.
The victim then gets knocked unconscious by another and falls to the floor.
It was at this point Kaya punches him twice before returning and kicking the victim to the head while he was semi-conscious.
The victim then slumps to the ground before Kaya kicks him to the head again.
A media appeal was published by Devon & Cornwall Police which resulted in the victim being identified on 22 December 2024.
As a result of the assault, the victim suffered a cut to the head and abrasions to the face and mouth. He attended hospital a few days later due to the loss of consciousness and feelings of nausea and underwent a CT scan.
In interview Kaya admitted the assault, but claimed it was in self-defence after a racial attack.
Sergeant Chris Vincent said: “This was an unusual incident in that it wasn’t reported to Police at the time.
“We became aware due to the social media video and were able from it to identify the victim and suspect.
“This was a particularly distressing attack because the victim lay completely defenceless when he was kicked to the head.
“It was a matter of luck that he was not more seriously injured or even killed.”
“These were chaotic scenes as many people enjoyed a festive night out.
“Such violence will not be tolerated and I would like to thank members of the community for their support during this investigation.”