Post by wildeman on Aug 26, 2006 10:56:09 GMT
[from the South Shields Gazette]
A TEENAGER who was part of a gang which beat up a gay schoolboy has been locked up.
the Gazette has won the right to name the 16-year-old as Darren Murray, of Kirkstone Avenue, Jarrow.
South Tyneside Youth Court heard the 15-year-old victim, who described himself as "openly gay at school", was walking on a path by the A19 in Jarrow at 6.10pm on May 9 when he saw a gang of about six teenagers ahead of him. As he approached the gang they started shouting homophobic insults at him, but he continued walking rather than be intimidated.
One of the gang then punched him in the head, and magistrates heard that during the next few minutes Murray took a leading role in a savage attack. The boy was kicked in the groin and bent backwards over railings before managing to escape from his attackers and hide in bushes. He stayed there for some time until he was convinced nobody had followed him, then sneaked away to a friend's house.
He called his horrified mother, who came and collected him, took him home and called police. Magistrates heard that one of his attackers, aged 14, was cautioned, but Murray and a 17-year-old, who can't be named for legal reasons, were taken to court. Both denied common assault, but the case went to trial two weeks ago, and both were found guilty. They were brought back before the court this week for sentencing, and the 17-year-old, who had no previous convictions, was given a 12-month community punishment order, with 175 hours' unpaid work. He was also put on a six-month curfew from 7pm to 7am, and ordered to pay £125 costs and £150 compensation to his victim.
Geoffrey Forrester, defending Murray, tried to persuade magistrates not to lock him up. He said: "In many ways custody will be easier than the challenge and discipline that a community order will involve. "In many ways it will be a case of just counting off the days."
Murray was given a 12-month detention and training order, meaning six months in a young offenders' institution and being under strict supervision for six months on release.
A Gazette application to name Murray was granted by magistrates.
By MURRAY KELSO
A TEENAGER who was part of a gang which beat up a gay schoolboy has been locked up.
the Gazette has won the right to name the 16-year-old as Darren Murray, of Kirkstone Avenue, Jarrow.
South Tyneside Youth Court heard the 15-year-old victim, who described himself as "openly gay at school", was walking on a path by the A19 in Jarrow at 6.10pm on May 9 when he saw a gang of about six teenagers ahead of him. As he approached the gang they started shouting homophobic insults at him, but he continued walking rather than be intimidated.
One of the gang then punched him in the head, and magistrates heard that during the next few minutes Murray took a leading role in a savage attack. The boy was kicked in the groin and bent backwards over railings before managing to escape from his attackers and hide in bushes. He stayed there for some time until he was convinced nobody had followed him, then sneaked away to a friend's house.
He called his horrified mother, who came and collected him, took him home and called police. Magistrates heard that one of his attackers, aged 14, was cautioned, but Murray and a 17-year-old, who can't be named for legal reasons, were taken to court. Both denied common assault, but the case went to trial two weeks ago, and both were found guilty. They were brought back before the court this week for sentencing, and the 17-year-old, who had no previous convictions, was given a 12-month community punishment order, with 175 hours' unpaid work. He was also put on a six-month curfew from 7pm to 7am, and ordered to pay £125 costs and £150 compensation to his victim.
Geoffrey Forrester, defending Murray, tried to persuade magistrates not to lock him up. He said: "In many ways custody will be easier than the challenge and discipline that a community order will involve. "In many ways it will be a case of just counting off the days."
Murray was given a 12-month detention and training order, meaning six months in a young offenders' institution and being under strict supervision for six months on release.
A Gazette application to name Murray was granted by magistrates.
By MURRAY KELSO