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'Happy slap' youths admit killing | 'Happy slap' youths admit killing |
(40 minutes later) | |
Ekram Haque was attacked as he returned from a mosque | Ekram Haque was attacked as he returned from a mosque |
Two teenage members of a "happy slapping" gang have pleaded guilty to killing a pensioner in front of his granddaughter in south London. | Two teenage members of a "happy slapping" gang have pleaded guilty to killing a pensioner in front of his granddaughter in south London. |
Ekram Haque, 67, a retired care worker, was attacked in August 2009 in Church Lane, Tooting, as he left a mosque. | Ekram Haque, 67, a retired care worker, was attacked in August 2009 in Church Lane, Tooting, as he left a mosque. |
He died a week later from injuries which included a wound to the head. | He died a week later from injuries which included a wound to the head. |
The boys, aged 15 and 16, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey. Another 15-year-old youth admitted causing actual bodily harm. | The boys, aged 15 and 16, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Old Bailey. Another 15-year-old youth admitted causing actual bodily harm. |
None of the boys can be named because of their age. | None of the boys can be named because of their age. |
So-called "happy slapping" attacks refer to violence which is recorded by the perpetrators on mobile phones. | So-called "happy slapping" attacks refer to violence which is recorded by the perpetrators on mobile phones. |
The attack on Mr Haque on 31 August was witnessed by his three-year-old granddaughter. | The attack on Mr Haque on 31 August was witnessed by his three-year-old granddaughter. |
The boys were charged with his murder but the lesser charges of manslaughter and assault occassiong actual bodily harm were accepted by prosecutors. | |
CCTV cameras in the area caught two boys striking Mr Haque from the front and back while a third boy was seen running off with them. The pensioner fell to the ground and suffered a head injury. | CCTV cameras in the area caught two boys striking Mr Haque from the front and back while a third boy was seen running off with them. The pensioner fell to the ground and suffered a head injury. |
Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said: "There was evidence available to us to from mobile telephones of so-called 'happy slap' type activity in the week leading up to these events." | Brian Altman QC, prosecuting, said: "There was evidence available to us to from mobile telephones of so-called 'happy slap' type activity in the week leading up to these events." |
Couple attacked | Couple attacked |
All three teenagers also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to two other men, Atta-ul Hassan Mir and Imdad Bukari, on the same day as the attack on Mr Haque, as they too left the mosque during the Muslim festival of Ramadan. | All three teenagers also pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to two other men, Atta-ul Hassan Mir and Imdad Bukari, on the same day as the attack on Mr Haque, as they too left the mosque during the Muslim festival of Ramadan. |
Two of the boys also admitted causing actual bodily harm to a couple in their 70s, days before the fatal assault. | Two of the boys also admitted causing actual bodily harm to a couple in their 70s, days before the fatal assault. |
Jasumati and Jushbhai Patel were punched and stamped on in their home after they asked the boys not to sit on their wall, the court heard. | Jasumati and Jushbhai Patel were punched and stamped on in their home after they asked the boys not to sit on their wall, the court heard. |
The court heard that the teenagers were in a gang which called themselves Lane Gang Productions. | The court heard that the teenagers were in a gang which called themselves Lane Gang Productions. |
During the investigation officers found six videos of "happy slapping" incidents on mobile phones belonging to the gang, but the attacks the youths were charged over were not among them. | During the investigation officers found six videos of "happy slapping" incidents on mobile phones belonging to the gang, but the attacks the youths were charged over were not among them. |
All three will be sentenced on 23 July. | All three will be sentenced on 23 July. |