Haringey and Camden youths locked up for masked baseball bat attack at Tube station

Three teenage thugs from Camden and Haringey who took part in a vicious gang attack on a 15-year-old have been jailed for a total of eight-and-a-half years.

The two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were part of a masked gang of youths who attacked their young victim with a baseball bat and five crutches at Hendon Central Tube station last November.

The teenager, now 16, who also cannot be named, was leaving the station when he was confronted with the menacing sight of around 15 youths with bandanas over their faces bearing down on him.

He tried to run away, but some of the gang caught up and surrounded him before launching their brutal assault.

They struck his head with crutches and continued to pile in with blows after he fell to the floor. He suffered injuries to his head and a stab wound to his right thigh.

The 15-year-olds from Camden and Haringey - along with another 15-year-old from Islington - were sentenced to three years in a young offenders institute after being convicted of causing GBH with intent at Wood Green Crown Court in November.

The 16-year-old from Haringey received two years and six months detention after he admitted his involvement.

Investigating officer Det Con Eloise Lock, of British Transport Police (BTP), said: “This was a violent attack by a number of youths on one boy, who was lucky his injuries were not more severe.

“I hope the sentences handed down to these four youths sends out a clear message that BTP takes incidents like this very seriously and anyone caught carrying a weapon will be arrested and prosecuted.”

Howard Collins, chief operating officer for London Underground, said: “Any assault on our customers, especially a violent one, is a terrible incident and we are naturally pleased that these criminals are now serving time for their actions.”