Teens jailed for smashing teeth

16 May 2007

ROBBERS who smashed out a man's front teeth to steal a lighter worth £1.50 have been jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Two teenagers, a 16-year-old from Orpington and a 14-year-old from South Norwood were imprisoned at Croydon Crown Court last Friday.

A 15-year-old from Lewisham and a 16-year-old from Streatham Hill were also each given a four-year supervision order.

The gang struck twice on September 29 last year, in an alleyway that runs between St. Mary Cray High Street and Cray Avenue.

They attacked a 35-year-old man and knocked out his front teeth, leaving him needing major reconstructive dental surgery. The gang stole a lighter.

The 17-year-old was walking along Station Approach when they grabbed his bag, threw him to the ground and punched and kicked him in the head, before running off.

But the gang were traced to St Mary Cray train station, where the first victim identified them. They were all wearing black hoodies with bandanas over their faces.

All four teens denied robbery but were found guilty by a jury in a unanimous verdict on March 30 this year.