FOUR teenagers who set upon an innocent window cleaner “like a pack of animals” have today been jailed for a total of 11 years.
Judge Norman Wright blasted the gang as he sent them to prison after being told they attacked Ian Dewhurst simply because he had the “misfortune to walk past them”.
Mr Dewhurst’s teeth were kicked out and he had several ribs broken.
After the yobs were sentenced, Mr Dewhurst said the punishment was “justice in some ways” but that he had been left in fear.
And a councillor who represents the area where the attack happened in Blackburn branded them “utter hooligans” who should be “ashamed of themselves”.
Preston Crown Court was told that Mr Dewhurst, 47, was attacked as he walked past the group, who were sat on a wall.
He had just bought some lager from an off licence in Granville Road, Blackburn.
The self-employed window cleaner, who lives off Preston New Road, had his teeth kicked out and several ribs broken during the incident on November 30, 2006.
Mr Dewhurst, who is also a full time carer for his disabled partner, was unable to work for several months and had to pay out over £700 to have his teeth replaced.
The four teenagers robbed him of just £10 which they spent in a takeaway after the attack.
The youths were caught by police following CCTV evidence. One of the youths was 14 at the time.
Two 16-year-old boys, who can’t be named for legal reasons, a 17-year-old boy, who also cannot be named, and Yasin Ali Khan, 18, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to robbery.
Ali Khan and the 17-year-old were sentenced to three years and two months.
One of the 16-year-olds was sentenced to two years and 11 months, while the other got two years and eight months.
All four were sent to youth detention after Judge Wright said that a community order or a detention and training order was not a suitable punishment for them.
The judge said: “On that evening Mr Dewhurst was going about his business.
“He bought some lager and outside the shop he had the misfortune of going past you and the other youths.
“He was attacked, punched to the ground and there were threats to kill him.
“All he had was £10. That was the fruits of your escapade.
“All of you were like a pack of animals, kicking a man on the ground.
“He suffered serious injuries but apart from the physical injuries there is also the psychological aspect.
“It is not surprising he is frightened to go out at night when he was attacked in this way.
“All of you should be thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour that night.”
Mr Dewhurst said: “The sentence the judge passed is justice in some ways.
“They have been shown this behaviour cannot carry on.
“This was the second time I was attacked in two weeks - who is to say there isn’t someone who will act in the same way as them?
“They have affected me in a psychological way but I am pleased with the sentence.”
Corporation Park ward councillor Abdul Rehman said: “This was an atrocious attack on an upstanding member of the community.
“What happened to this man was totally uncalled for and was nothing but utter hooliganism.
“The people responsible ought to be ashamed of themselves.
“I hope the sentences will give them time to reflect on their behaviour.”
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