Four youths who savagely beat a teenager and left him close to death have been locked up.

The family of Craig Appleton, from Gillingham, was told to expect the worst after the brutal attack on Christmas Day, a court heard.
He was taken, in a coma and suffering from brain damage, to a London hospital. After days on the brink of death, he began to show signs of recovery.
Now, seven months later, he requires 24-hour care and is not expected to recover fully from the attack, caused by a dispute over a kebab.
The four thugs who carried out the assault, in the car park of the Aldi supermarket in Duncan Road, Gillingham, have been sentenced by a judge at Maidstone Crown Court.
Gary Davis and Joe Potter, both 21, were each jailed for six years. Ben Potter, 19, Joe Potter’s brother, was sentenced to four years eight months youths custody after admitting causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Jonathan Moley, 21, who played a lesser role in the “horrific attack” was sentenced to 12 months youth custody after admitting violent disorder.
All four defendants live in Gillingham.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said: “It was a sustained attack by three defendants. It was persisted in, the attackers leaving and returning when it must have been obvious he was desperately injured and completely helpless.”
He added that custody was the only possible outcome.

Read the full story in Friday's Medway Messenger