Muggers convicted of teen attack

5:50pm Friday 2nd May 2008

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A man and two teens have been sentenced to a total of 12 years' jail after being convicted of two violent muggings.

Daniel John Spencer, 18, of Manor Road, James Peter Henry Pappin, 21, of Russell Road, and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, all from Walton, were jailed last Friday.

Kingston Crown Court was told the three approached a group of teenagers as they walked home along Winchester Road from a 16-year-old's birthday party about 10.15pm on March 9.

One of the three held a bunch of keys between the knuckles of his clenched fist and pushed it against one of the young victim's heads.

Another wrapped a belt around his hand and struck the second victim as he lay unconscious after being tripped and banging his head against a brick wall.

The three then searched the victims' pockets and stole their wallets.

Epsom Detective Constable Matt Earl said: "On the evening of March 9, 2007, 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.

"They all pleaded not guilty to the robberies but the weight of evidence obtained from the victims and witnesses against them meant that the jury found them guilty on both counts.

"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."

Pappin was given five years' jail while Spencer and the teen got three-and-a-half-years at a young offenders institution.