Thug Ashley Cocking attacked autistic man in Asda car park

Ashley Cocking, 22, pummeled the man - who was wearing a lanyard identifying himself as autistic - who had the misfortune of walking near him as he rowed with his partner.

Southampton Crown Court heard Cocking had become very agitated after having an argument with his girlfriend in the car park at Asda in Chandler’s Ford.

Members of the public tried to calm him, but after his partner drove off, he saw his victim just walking past.

Cocking flew into a rage and set upon the victim, punching him in the ribs, knocking him to the ground and stealing his phone.

The victim was later picked up by his parents who said the incident knocked his confidence and left him needing a personal alarm every time he goes out.

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Cocking of Baddesley Close, North Baddesley, was arrested at the scene and interviewed.

He admitted robbery and appeared at Southampton Crown Court on Wednesday for sentencing.

Prosecuting, Nadia Chbat said the victim suffered bruising to his side as well as injuries to his leg and ankle but accepted that Cocking wasn’t aware of his vulnerability.

She added the event arose because of the argument between Cocking and his girlfriend.

In a statement read out in court, the victim said he “felt relieved when he heard the person who had robbed him had pleaded guilty".

Ashley Cocking. (Image: Hampshire Constabulary.)

He added that he is “worried about what will happen if [he goes] out”, has suffered from disturbed sleep and still suffers from pain in his ribs almost one year on.

But mitigating, Audrey Archer said her client “willingly pleaded guilty” and that the offence was “very much in the heat of the moment”.

“It wasn’t planned. This defendant accepts full responsibility for the offending that day.

“[He has] had a wake-up call like no other.”

Cocking’s mother Fiona told the court how he had been taking cannabis at the time of this incident and was “absolutely distressed” afterwards.

She added that he “fully understands that he is fully culpable for it” and is “very ashamed of his actions”.

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The victim had been wearing a lanyard around his neck to show that he is autistic, but Cocking did not know what this meant, the court was told.

Judge, Peter Henry said the victim had the “mental age of 12” and has since “woken up screaming several times”.

“This has had a considerable effect on him.

“The offence was aggravated by the fact that you were significantly affected by drugs.

“These are very unpleasant offences. Only an immediate custodial sentence can be imposed.”

Cocking was jailed for 27 months.

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