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Teenage tearaway Bradley Smith locked up for five years after crime spree in Margate

Teenage tearaway Bradley Smith has been given a five-year sentence - for a series of shocking offences.

In just 16 weeks, the feral 18-year-old:

  • Fractured a stranger's cheekbone... for sport
  • Threatened to knife a friend and before robbing him of hisTV and games console
  • Trashed a friend's flat, causing £1,000 worth of mindless damage
  • Told fast food staff they couldn't stop him smoking... because

they were black; and

  • Scoffed a £40 meal and then left without paying
Bradley Smith
Bradley Smith

And after being arrested Smith bleated that he was now ashamed of his behaviour..and blamed his behaviour on the death of his mother and grandfather.

But Judge Adele Williams told him: "In the space of four months you committed very serious offences.

"You have shown no compassion to your victims who were extremely distressed and traumatised."

Prosecutor Jim Harvey told Canterbury Crown Court said in August last year Smith went to a store in Thanet and stole £15 worth of toiletries.

On October 2 the thug got into the home of a former friend, Sophie Judd.

The yob then smashed chairs, tables, glasses, plates, a sofa, radiator and TV in an orgy of violence.

Judge Adele Williams at Canterbury Crown Court
Judge Adele Williams at Canterbury Crown Court

"This was an unpleasant offence which the defendant called Ms Judd, who was staying with her mother, telling her that her home was being ransacked. More than £1,000 worth of damage was caused," said the prosecutor.

The victim later told police: "I have suffered from depression since I was 13 and this hasn't helped and I have had to go back to the doctors'."

On November 4 he ordered a meal in a restaurant and then scarpered without paying the bill.

Eight days later, Smith led a gang and attacked a random stranger Bruce Baker in Broadstairs - "just for the sport".

The court heard how Smith's girlfriend egged him on because she wanted to see him fight.

Screaming "What's up blood?", Smith began swinging punches as Mr Baker attempted to find refuge at his home.

Mr Harvey said Mr Baker managed to bring Smith to the ground and then tried to run away as up to four people- including a woman - rained blows down on him.

As Mrs Baker came to the door to their home, Smith and his group carried on with their unprovoked attack - leaving their victim with a fractured cheekbone, cuts, bruises and swelling.

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court
The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court

He would later tell police officers that he feared at one point that he was going to die and didn't understand "the utter senseless" attack.

On December 13 , Smith and another group of four men and women went to a friend's home in Clifton gardens, Margate and robbed their victim Dennis Dobson and of a game console and TV at knifepoint - saying he would be killed if he reported the incident to police.

Smith - who was drunk and angry - and his victim feared he was capable of stabbing him if he had been challenged.

Four days later he went into a fast food outlet and began smoking - refusing to go outside.

"Things turned nasty when he was asked not to smoke by a member of staff and he then launched a tirade of racist abuse - telling staff they couldn't order him to stop smoking because they were black, " he added.

Judge Williams told him: "You were very abusive to them.

"It must be made clear that racial abuse of this nature will not be tolerated. It is abhorrent. Your victims were justifiably upset and distressed by your behaviour" - Judge Adele Williams

"It must be made clear that racial abuse of this nature will not be tolerated.

"It is abhorrent. Your victims were justifiably upset and distressed by your behaviour."

Simon Taylor, defending, said: "He now accepts his behaviour was utterly deplorable and he is ashamed of his behaviour and now wants to change."

Smith, of All Saint's Avenue, Margate admitted robbery, causing grievous bodily harm, a racially motivated public order offence, theft, causing criminal damage and making off without paying.

He was sent to a young offenders' institute for a total of five years.


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