Two thugs who repeatedly stamped on a Good Samaritan’s head after he came to the aid of a shopkeeper whose store they had vandalised have been jailed.

Finian Michael Barratt, 23, of York Road, and Tristan Long, 23, of no fixed address, left their 56-year-old victim convulsing and with life-threatening injuries after the brutal attack last June.

The pair pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and wounding with intent, and were sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday (April 12).

Barratt was jailed for 12 years with an extension period of five years, while Long was sentenced to ten years behind bars with an extension period of five years.

The two thugs had attended a party which went on until the early hours of the morning on Tuesday, June 14, and, intoxicated, entered a newsagents in Croydon High Street, the court had heard.

They became aggressive when the shopkeeper had challenged a friend of theirs over payment for an item and ejected them from the store.

Barratt and Long then threatened the shopkeeper and threw items in the store. Fearing for his safety, the shopkeeper tried to pull the shop’s shutters down, but Barratt and Long yanked them back up, breaking them in the process.

As the pair left the shop the victim, who was walking to work, called out to the men to get them to stop what they were doing.

Barratt and Long then turned on him, walking towards and launching their attack. They kicked and punched the man repeatedly all over his body, causing him to fall to the floor.

Long then stamped on the victim’s head more than a dozen times using both feet, causing the victim to convulse. They then casually walked from the scene, with Long picking up his hat as he left.

The two men were arrested a short time later.

Officers tended to the victim who had regained consciousness and he told officers that he had been attacked.

While he should make a full recovery, the victim and his family will continue to bear the emotional trauma of the attack, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated.

Barratt and Long were initially charged with attempted murder, GBH wounding with intent and criminal damage.

DC Henry Vernon, who led the investigation for Croydon CID, said: "This was an abhorrent, unprovoked attack on a well-respected member of the local community who was merely making his way to work.

“Upon seeing a shopkeeper under attack, he called out for the men to stop. Both Barratt and Long then launched a sustained and brutal attack which left him with life-threatening injuries.

"I would like to commend the victim's bravery both throughout this ordeal. The shopkeeper believes he himself was saved from serious injury by the victim's intervention.

"The sentences Long and Barratt received are a reflection of the gravity of this attack."