by Keith Hunt

Three thugs have been locked up after a delivery boy was mugged for three pizzas worth just £32.97.

Wayne Acott, 21, was jailed for 21 months, Adam Chawner, 20, was sentenced to 21 months youth custody and Joshua Allchin, 18, to 14 months youth custody.

Judge Jeremy Gold QC said of victim Hussain Safari: "He was working for a living, while the three of you and four friends were lazing around smoking cannabis and drinking alcohol, thinking of filling your stomachs with free pizza.

"One of you was armed with a rolling pin and caused cuts and bruises.

"I am not interested in who precisely caused these injuries. If you get involved, you run the risk of co-defendants using violence."

The four others - Jimmy Brooker, 18, Antony Stanley, 19, Dean Cundall, 21, and 20-year-old Duane Brown - escaped with community orders.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how the seven plotted to steal the food from Pizza Hot 4 U in the town in November 2009.

Prosecutor Allister Walker said the pizzas were ordered for a false address at Summerdale Court flats in Square Hill Road, where Chawner had once lived.

When Afghanistani immigrant Mr Safari, 19, arrived there he was surrounded, beaten with a rolling pin and the pizzas were stolen.

"Their behaviour was pathetic really, but nonetheless terrifying for the young driver going about his business," said Mr Walker.

The victim later left the country and played no part in the trial.

Acott, of Summerdale Court, Square Hill Road, Chawner, of Coombe Road, and Allchin, of Melville Road, all Maidstone, admitted conspiracy to rob.

Brooker, of Cleveland House, Woodford Road, Maidstone, Stanley, of Plover Road, Larkfield, Cundall, of Hubbard Lane, Boughton Monchelsea, and Brown, of Windmill Street, Tunbridge Wells, admitted conspiracy to steal.

Brooker and Stanley were given supervision with a drug rehabilitation requirement and 150 hours unpaid work.

Cundall was given supervision with a drug rehabilitation requirement, Brown was given a community order with 200 hours unpaid work.

They were each ordered to pay £200 costs.

Judge Gold told Acott, Chawner and Allchin: "I have no reason to think all three of you are capable of making your parents proud of you later on and not ashamed of you as they are today."