Three teenagers who raped a disabled woman in an alley were jailed today.

Ashley Mitchell, 19, Kersley McDermott, 18, and 17-year-old Curtis Clinton were found guilty of pushing the middle-aged woman, who suffers from MS, into the alley in Upton Road, Thornton Heath, last month.

Both Mitchell and McDermott then forced her to perform a sex act while Clinton kept watch.

At Croydon Crown Court this morning Mitchell and McDermott, who had tears in his eyes as he stood in the dock, were sentenced to five years in a young offenders' institution.

Clinton was given three years in a young offenders' institution.

All three will also be on placed on the sex offenders' register.

Sentencing the three, Judge Stephen Waller said: "The victim had gone out in the evening to the local shops to get some cigarettes and you were hanging around with nothing much to do.

"It's clear from the evidence that you believed she was under the influence of alcohol and drugs. However, she looked unbalanced in her walking and had trouble processing her speech because of her MS.

"You did not know that and took advantage of the situation and pushed her into a deserted alleyway where Mitchell and McDermott raped her. Clinton stood back and acted as look out.

"After this you helped yourself to her handbag Mitchell, but upon finding nothing but personal items threw it away."

The defendants ages and lack of previous convictions were taken into account by Judge Waller, who felt they did not pose a serious threat to the public.

"I treat you each of good character but the offences of which you have been convicted are serious.

"For me to impose the maximum sentence though I must consider you a significant risk of serious harm to the public, and I have come to the conclusion that you are not.

"However, in each case a custodial sentence is appropriate and it must be a significant."

Mitchell, who lives in Upton Road, had the 328 days he has already spent in custody since his arrest last year included in his sentence.

Clinton, also from Upton Road, and McDermott, who lives in Gouldon House, Bullen Street, Battersea, had the 34 days spent in custody since their conviction included in their sentences.

Judge Waller also paid tribute to the investigating officers in the case, Detective Sergeant Mike Wetheridge and Detective Constable Simone O'Neill.

He said: "I would like to commend these officers for the work that went into this case in the interest of public safety."