Tuebrook Man Jailed for Three Years Over McDonald's Bat Attack
A 30-year-old man from Tuebrook has been jailed for three years after an attack in a McDonald's in Kensington in which the victim was struck 35 times with a baseball bat. Valeri Aleksiev, of Windsor Road, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday.
Both Aleksiev and a youth, now 16, admitted attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. The boy cannot be named for legal reasons. He received a 12-month youth referral order. Both were given restraining orders banning contact with the victim, Milhail Demirov, and his wife for seven years.
A dispute that spilled onto TikTok
The court heard that Demirov had been married to Aleksiev's cousin. On 15 August this year Aleksiev posted a TikTok video outside the house of Demirov's father-in-law, threatening to set fire to a car. The next morning he posted a second clip inviting Demirov to Gym 21 in Kensington "to finish this problem one to one, like a man, no one else".
Prosecutor Matthew Dixon said Demirov had sent numerous threatening and offensive messages to Aleksiev, including comments about his wife and children. He said it was accepted that "this was a two way street between the parties".
The attack
Demirov agreed on Facebook to meet, believing it would be a fight in an MMA ring. At the gym he found Aleksiev holding a metal bar, with the teenager carrying a black metal baseball bat. Demirov ran towards the nearby McDonald's. Aleksiev threw his weapon at him, hitting him in the back.
Liverpool FC had played a pre-season friendly that day, and the restaurant was full of families on their way home. Aleksiev followed Demirov inside, punched him and held him on the floor while the boy hit him with the bat "no less than 35 times". A member of staff pulled the teenager away after several minutes. Aleksiev threw a chair before customers restrained him.
Demirov suffered bruising and reddening to his face but no other injuries. Judge Neil Flewitt said Aleksiev intended him to suffer really serious harm and that the offence was an attempt only because he was pulled away. He noted the planning involved and that it took place in front of young families. He accepted that Aleksiev, who has no previous convictions, was genuinely remorseful.
During the hearing Aleksiev was seen in tears and clutching his chest, and the judge paused proceedings so he could receive medical attention. Judge Flewitt resumed about 15 minutes later, saying he had been told the distress "disappeared almost immediately".
Source: Liverpool Echo