A TEENAGE boy suffered a broken jaw after he was punched unconscious when a gang went on the rampage, a crown court judge was told.

Jack Hilson was injured by 18-year-old Rebecca Penfold who used her crutches as a weapon.

Penfold, who is facing sentence for inflicting grievous bodily harm, had also been accused of robbery and an alternative of theft, but was acquitted of those charges.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that the 15-year-old victim and his friend, Kevin Williams, aged 16, were set upon by a 30-strong gang near Ashford railway station on April 4 last year.

Trevor Wright, prosecuting, said the two boys were walking with two girls towards a bridge that crossed the River Stour.

The girls were approached by a large group of black youths and Penfold, who was carrying a pair of crutches.

The gang blocked the boys’ way and Mr Hilson was sprayed in the face with deodorant before being attacked by one of the youths.

Penfold kicked him in the face, making him feel dizzy.

Mr Williams was hit by a barrage of punches and Penfold poked him in the ribs with her crutches., which she also used to pin him down as he was ordered to empty his pockets. His mobile phone and cigarettes were taken from him. The group then headed towards the Stour Centre.

Mr Hilson, who required hospital treatment, said the gang had asked them if they were from Ashford. He said Penfold was doing most of the shouting.

“I recall her hitting me several times with the crutches,” he said. “The next thing I know, I was just getting hit from loads of directions.”

Penfold, now 19, denied assaulting either of the boys.

In evidence she said she had travelled to Ashford from Catford to shop at the McArthurGlen designer outlet when she and her ex-boyfriend met up with the other youths.

Penfold, who was on crutches because she had twisted her ankle, said the boys started fighting and she panicked.

She claimed she had tried to pull her ex-boyfriend off Mr Hillson and denied hitting him with her crutches.

Penfold admitted pushing Mr Williams away with the crutches. “I pushed him in the back,” she said. “I did that four times maximum.”

Asked what force she used, she admitted: “Quite a bit.”

Adjourning sentence for reports until March 31, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith warned Penfold: “This is a serious offence.”