Thug escapes jail after Crawley attack

2:10pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

A gang of bullies led by a girl pounced on a teenage couple and attacked them because of the way they dressed.

The thugs taunted the 16-year-old boy and girl at a communal garden before head-butting and punching them.

Yesterday ringleaders Abigail Livingstone, 18, and Thomas Chapman, 19, were ordered to carry out community service for the violent assault.

Lewes Crown Court was told the victims were sitting alone in Milton Mount, Pound Hill, Crawley, when they were approached by the gang on August 21 last year.

Lawrence Henderson, prosecuting, said: “This is a case of teenage bullying.”

He said when the yobs started calling out names, the couple tried to leave but were stopped.

Livingstone appeared to be the leader of the bullying and referred to the victims as “grungers”.

Chapman put the hood of his jacket over his head, walked up to the boy and in a cocky manner asked if he had money, cigarettes or cannabis.

Again the victims tried to walk away but Chapman ran past them and kicked the boy in the ribs causing him to fall to the ground.

Livingstone threatened to hit the girl before demanding to know if she had a mobile phone.

Mr Henderson said: “She advised the girl not to lie. She walked up to her and without warning head-butted her.

“She smirked as if she was proud of what she had done.”

The victims went to hospital where the girl needed an operation on a broken nose.

Mr Henderson said the attack had a lasting impact on both the victims.

He said: “They are both fearful of travelling on public transport or on foot in the evenings.”

He said the girl’s injury in particular caused her great distress.

Livingstone, of Cloverlands, Northgate, Crawley, admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Chapman, of the same address, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Judge Richard Brown, the Recorder of Brighton and Hove, told the pair he had considered sending them both to young offenders institutions for the unprovoked assaults.

He said: “These are very serious offences.

“I am not surprised the victims have been traumatised by your actions.”

He handed Livingstone an 18-month community order and ordered her to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

The judge told her she had come “within an inch” of being jailed.

He said: “I shall give you one last opportunity to avoid going into custody.

“There is a sting in the tail.

“If you fail to complete the order or commit any further offences, off to prison you will go.”

Chapman was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

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