Teenagers locked up for attacks on bystanders

Two Shropshire teenagers have been sentenced to a total of 10 years in a young offenders' institute for a spate of attacks on "innocent bystanders".

Nathan Harley-Thomas, of Ludlow Road, Church Stretton, and Gary Jones, of no fixed abode, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

The 18-year-olds admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Ainsley Roberts on November 5, 2009, in Gains Park, in Shrewsbury. Harley-Thomas admitted criminal damage for throwing a can of paint over a wall into Morris Lubricants, in Castle Foregate, on May 21 last year causing £400 of damage.

He also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Marion Gajewski, a Polish man who was attacked near a cash machine in Shrewsbury, on May 22.

He was put behind bars for a total of 58 months.

Jones admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Mr Gajewski on the same date and assaulting Craig Purcell in Castle Foregate occasioning actual bodily harm on May 22 and witness intimidation against Gary Cadwallader on November 23. He was put behind bars for a total of 68 months.

Judge Mark Eades said: "This spate of offending is horrendous. The excuse put forward is you both come from deprived backgrounds but how that can justify turning on innocent bystanders is beyond me."

Mrs Jo Barker, prosecuting, said Mr Purcell suffered a swollen nose, two black eyes and the veneers knocked off two of his teeth. She said Mr Gajewski suffered five cuts to the head and needed stitches.

Mr Michael Sherwood-Smith, for Harley-Thomas, said he had had a "difficult adolescence".

Mr Dean Easthope, for Jones, said he was trying to turn his life around.