6/5/2008

News

Drunken thugs locked up for attacking youths

Pappin.

THREE drunken thugs who brutally beat and robbed a pair of teenagers have been sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

The trio from Walton consisted of 18-year-old Daniel John Spencer from Manor Road, 21-year-old James Peter Henry Pappin from Russell Road and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons.

On March 9 last year, they aggressively approached a group of eight teenagers walking along Winchester Road, Walton, on their way home from a 16th birthday party.

One of them put a bunch of keys between the knuckles of his clenched fist and pushed it against one of the victim’s heads.

Meanwhile, another of the assailants wrapped a belt around his hand and beat a second young man as he lay unconscious, after being tripped and banging his head against a brick wall.

The criminals then rifled through the victims’ pockets and stole their wallets.

Shortly afterwards, police arrested Spencer and the 17-year-old after they were identified by witnesses. They also found two wallets nearby, one of which belonged to one of the victims.

Pappin was identified later and the three men were charged with robbery and affray.

Spencer.

At Kingston Crown Court on Friday April 25, Spencer and the 17-year-old were sentenced to three-and-a-half years apiece at a young offenders institution. Pappin was given a five-year prison sentence for his part.

All three had denied their involvement, but were found guilty by the jury due to the weight of evidence against them obtained from both the victims and witnesses.

Investigating officer Matt Earl applauded the outcome of the case, claiming it sent out a “clear message” to the community.

DC Earl, from Epsom CID, said: “On the evening [of the offence] these men were drunk and aggressive.

“It is unclear if their actions were planned or committed on the spur of the moment, but they were prepared to use violence against their victims in order to steal property from them.

“The injuries sustained by the victims may have only been minor, but the judge took into account that they could have been more seriously hurt and the victims were of a young age.”

First printed in: News & Mail Series