by Julia Roberts

Two thugs who viciously mugged a youth for his BMX bicycle and wallet escaped being immediately locked up today.

Mikeal Gray, 20, of Ospringe Road, Faversham, and David Hooper, 21, of South Road, Faversham, robbed Christopher Jackson of his £340 bike in January last year.

They also assaulted Mr Jackson’s friend, Ricky Hewitt, during the mugging at a recreation ground near Whitstable Road, Faversham.

Gray, Hooper and a third defendant, Thomas Lewis, 18, of Laken Hall Heath in the West Midlands, all pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Hewitt.

Hooper also admitted robbery of Mr Jackson. Gray and Lewis denied the same charge but were convicted by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

Sentencing Gray and Hooper at today’s hearing, Judge David Caddick said they both deserved custodial sentences.

However, he explained that probation reports on the pair demonstrated that there were “hopeful signs” for their futures, enabling him to impose a suspended sentence on Hooper and a community order on Gray.

“This episode was a disgraceful one,” said the judge. “Fuelled largely by drink, you two and Thomas Lewis set upon two young men doing no harm.

“You assaulted the first young man, holding him down by the throat and so on, and quite substantially beat up the other.

“A custodial sentence for both of you would be perfectly justified. But you have the benefit of individial probation reports which have looked into your backgrounds.

“Each of you is assessed as being not of immediate danger to the community and the level of risk of reoffending is not at a high level.”

Hooper was given 12 months’ jail suspended for 18 months and must carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

Gray, who the court heard later persuaded Lewis to return the bike, was given an 18-month community order with the conditions that he carries out 250 hours unpaid work and an education, training and employment programme.

Lewis failed to attend the hearing due to travel problems and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He will be sentenced by Judge Caddick at a later date.

Dickon Reid, defending Hooper, said his client was easily led but accepted the offences were committed as part of a joint enterprise.

Gray was described by his counsel, Tom Dunn, as “vulnerable” and urged the court to “give him a chance”.