A ‘troubled’ 20-year-old who assaulted 2 children within hours of one another has been handed a 12-month community order following what the court heard to be a series of aggressive behaviour, fuelled by alcohol.
Kai Glasspool, of Acorn Gardens in East Cowes, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court earlier this week (Tuesday), where he faced sentencing relating to 2 charges of assault by beating.
Glasspool previously pleaded guilty to assaulting both of the children at a hearing on 17th July.
Prosecutor Serena Edwards outlined the facts of the case, which she described as aggressive and shocking.
It was said that on 16th March 2026, the defendant travelled to Portsmouth using the FastCat to visit his cousin, where he consumed alcohol.
Later in the day, he was offered a lift back to Portsmouth Harbour where he would get the FastCat back to Ryde. Mrs Edwards said that whilst in the vehicle, his behaviour is said to have changed; he quickly became aggressive and ‘weird’. It was then that he launched his attack on the then 17-year-old driver – a friend of his cousins.
The court heard that the victim was punched in the face between her bottom lip and cheekbone, leaving significant bruising and requiring her to seek further medical attention at the hospital.
Mrs Edwards also addressed the bench with the aggravating features of the case, with the most disturbing being that a 13-year-old child witnessed the attack from the back seat of the vehicle.
Following the attack, Glasspool continued on his journey back to the Isle of Wight. Upon arriving at Ryde Pier Head, he decided to steal a woman’s mobile phone.
A 15-year-old male witness challenged Glasspool, who was described as aggressive. The court heard that the school-aged boy received a series of punches to the head during the assault, which was first described as painless and fuelled by adrenaline.
However, following several members of the public pulling the defendant off the child, it is said that a sharp pain arose on the child’s head.
Police officers who were on patrol in Ryde attended the ferry terminal and arrested Glasspool.
A witness to the offence told the Crown Prosecution Service that amid the arrest, they heard Glasspool say “I knew I shouldn’t have drunk”.
Defending her client, Eva Ford told the Magistrates of his shame, saying that he had informed her that he was incredibly ashamed and sorry for what he has done.
Ms Ford reaffirmed her stance from the previous hearing that Glasspool struggles with misuse of drugs and alcohol, saying that the offending occurred “all because of alcohol”. It was said that Glasspool, who has ADHD, Autism and Tourette’s, and suffers from trauma relating to family bereavement, was drinking to manage his emotions.
She said that Glasspool has stopped drinking since the incident.
In sentencing, Magistrates said:
“These are nasty offences committed against youngsters”.
They ordered Kai Glasspool to be placed on a 12-month community order, complete 15 rehabilitation days and pay a total of £679 to the court, £400 of which is compensation to be split between his 2 victims.
