PPC sees train attackers jailed

12.00.00am GMT Sun 25th Feb 2001

Two 17-year-olds who took part in a vicious bottle attack on Lib Dem PPC Andy Darley were jailed at Kingston Crown Court on Friday (Feb 23).

The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were jailed for eight and twelve months after being found guilty of affray at an earlier hearing. One was also convicted of robbery, but both were acquitted of GBH on the judge's direction.

Afterwards Mr Darley, Lib Dem PPC for Feltham and Heston, said:

"After waiting for over a year I am relieved that this case is finally over.

"I'm glad my attackers were both locked up, but I am also glad they were given 'detention and training' orders and not just ordinary prison sentences.

"What I saw in court were two young people who have so far ruined their lives. Hopefully with training, they can turn that around in the future and make a fresh, crime-free, start.

"I also want to thank all the professionals who have so ably helped me since the attack, especially the accident and emergency staff at West Middlesex Hospital and DC Ian Goddard of the British Transport Police, whose tenacity ensured these two dangerous young men are now behind bars."

It is expected that the youths will be released after three and five months. During the hearing it emerged that at least one had been held on remand in Feltham Young Offenders' Institute, in Mr Darley's constituency.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The judge declined a press request to lift a Section 39 order banning the identification of the two youths.

• One was jailed for 12 months for affray and robbery, has previous convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, taking without consent, robbery, shoplifting, deception, handling stolen goods, and criminal damage. The earliest was in January 1997.

• The other was jailed for eight months for affray. He has eight previous convictions for abusive or threatening behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, being drunk and disorderly, shoplifting, criminal damage, and threatening behaviour, all in the period July 1998 - November 2000.