4:00pm Thursday 22nd May 2008
By Steve Kelly
TWO thugs have been jailed for a brutal attack on a teenager.
Michael Keane and Jamie Bennett, both aged 18, were both sentenced to four years in prison at Warrington Crown Court on Tuesday after admitting kicking the 17-year-old in the head at a footbridge near to the Central Expressway, in Runcorn, on 31 January.
The court was told how the victim was knocked unconscious after being punched and kicked in the head and body.
Joanne Parsons, prosecuting, said the pair had been part of a hooded gang which started shouting at the three victims before following them at about 6.30pm.
The gang, covering their faces with scarves, circled the trio before Keane and Bennett demanded their mobile phones and cash. The yobs also threatened to throw the boys off the bridge if they refused.
However, the group instead attacked the trio. Two of the victims suffered minor injuries.
Police arrested Keane and Bennett soon after following a tip-off, but the pair denied involvement.
However, they changed their pleas after blood from their clothing matched the 17-year-old's DNA.
Judge Thomas Teague QC branded the pair "masked hooligans".
He said: "The young boys involved in this incident must have been terrified and this is a very serious crime. It is too serious for a fine or community penalty.
"This was - in context - gang violence involving masked hooligans and only a custodial sentence will suffice"
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