SIX yobs who bloodied and bruised three Afghan men in a mistaken revenge attack inside a tram have been spared jail.
The men, including two youths, were handed suspended sentences, youth rehabilitation orders and unpaid work, at Croydon Crown Court today.
Judge Shani Barnes said the men, all from New Addington, had behaved "like a pack of dogs" in the attack on October 1, 2011, and should be "ashamed".
The court heard how the group cornered their victims in a tram at King Henry's Drive stop, at around 8pm, because they wrongly thought their victims had earlier attacked their friend.
Judge Barnes said: "I am quite sure that what we saw on that CCTV that night showed you at your absolute worst.
"And I am not exaggerating when I say that your behaviour on that night was like a pack of dogs
"Even small dogs that nip around the ankles in a pack can be terrifying, and you were a pack."
The six defendants had earlier pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Kieran Hawker, 18, of North Downs Road, was handed a 13-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He also received an 18-month supervision order, and must do 100 hours of unpaid work.
Aaron Henery, 18, of Milne Park East, was handed an 18-month youth rehabilitation order – effectively a community order - and an 18-month supervision order.
Robert Elsey, 19, of Godric Crescent, was handed a 15-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
He also received an 18-month supervision order and 36 hours at an attendance centre.
Dean Riley, 18, of Cator Crescent, who did not board the tram, received a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a 12-month supervision order.
A court order bans identifying two youths who were also sentenced today, both 17.
The first received an 18-month youth rehabilitation order, an 18-month supervision order, and 100 hours of unpaid work.
The second received a 12-month youth rehabilitation order, a 12-month supervision order and 100 hours of unpaid work.
A seventh man, 27-year-old Anthony Patton, had also pleaded guilty to violent disorder over the attack.
He was sentenced yesterday to twelve months in prison, to run concurrently with the 15 months he has still to serve on his sentence for his part in a burglary gang.
Judge Barnes added the impact of the attack on the victims, aged 18, 19 and 21 at the time, should be remembered.
One of them is still receiving medical attention for headaches and poor vision suffered since the attack.
She added: "He now has very little confidence, is very wary of groups of young other males and is afraid of going out on his own.
"He has friends in the New Addington area but won't go out there as he is afraid of being attacked, and as a result of this he and his girlfriend split up because of the stress of it all.
"There are serious consequences and I hope you would all be ashamed."
