Bradley Baker, 33, a former journalist, has been sentenced to four years in prison following a disturbing spree at Sutton Park in Birmingham, where he randomly sprayed strangers with CS gas, leaving victims fearful they might lose their sight. The attacks occurred in broad daylight on August 14, 2024, after Baker had been consuming alcohol and drugs.
Baker, who once worked for Reach PLC, was cycling through Sutton Park when he discharged a CS spray canister multiple times into the faces of unsuspecting park visitors. The victims experienced severe eye and skin irritation, burns, and profound distress, unaware of the cause or motivation behind the attacks. Many testified that they genuinely feared long-term damage.
In addition to four counts of administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve, or annoy, Baker was also convicted of possession of the weapon and outraging public decency by exposing himself during the spree. The court acknowledged his prior convictions, including child sex offenses, which contributed to the severity of his sentence.
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Recorder Caroline Goodwin emphasized the dangerous nature of Baker’s behavior, noting his potential for both violent and sexual offending. The judge also commended the efforts made to secure appropriate supported housing and mental health care for Baker upon his release. Psychiatric evaluations revealed Baker suffers from personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorder linked to substance misuse.
Despite the seriousness of the offenses, the court accepted that there was no lasting physical damage to the victims. Defense counsel highlighted Baker’s progress in custody, including his adherence to medication and engagement in rehabilitation programs, supported by his family.
The judge made it clear that if permanent harm had occurred, the sentence would have been significantly harsher. Nonetheless, the four-year imprisonment reflects the gravity of Baker’s deliberate and traumatic actions in a public setting, spreading fear and injury among innocent park-goers.