Louts who tortured vulnerable man face lengthy prison sentences (From The Northern Echo)

Louts who tortured vulnerable man face lengthy prison sentences

6:06pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News By Neil Hunter

TWO louts who tortured a young man with learning difficulties for “sadistic amusement” are facing lengthy prison sentences.

Karl Taylor and Ashley Sorby pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of false imprisonment and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

They will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court next month after reports are prepared on the pair by probation officials.

Taylor, 26, of Cornwall Street, and Sorby, 22, of Caithness Road, both Hartlepool, were remanded in custody until their next appearance.

Prosecutor Robin Turton told the court yesterday that the victim has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder since the October incident.

Mr Turton described the ordeal as “prolonged and sustained torture” which culminated in a sexual assault with a pool cue.

“The incident involved degradation and humiliation of the victim,” Mr Turton told Judge Peter Fox, QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough.

“The defaulted intention for the assault with the pool cue must be sadistic amusement rather than sexual perversion.”