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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Boys sentenced for stoning death | Boys sentenced for stoning death |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Five boys have been given custodial sentences for pelting a father with stones who then died of a heart attack. | Five boys have been given custodial sentences for pelting a father with stones who then died of a heart attack. |
| Ernest Norton, 67, was playing cricket with his son at a leisure centre in Erith, south-east London, when he was attacked in February 2006. | Ernest Norton, 67, was playing cricket with his son at a leisure centre in Erith, south-east London, when he was attacked in February 2006. |
| The boys, now aged between 12 and 14, were convicted of manslaughter and violent disorder in August. | The boys, now aged between 12 and 14, were convicted of manslaughter and violent disorder in August. |
| They received sentences of two years each from the judge who described their behaviour as "disgraceful". | They received sentences of two years each from the judge who described their behaviour as "disgraceful". |
| An Old Bailey jury heard Mr Norton was hit on the head at least twice. | An Old Bailey jury heard Mr Norton was hit on the head at least twice. |
| Following the sentence, Det Insp Clive Hayes said he hoped the "tough sentence" will "act as a deterrent" to other youths from getting involved in anti-social behaviour. | |
| He added Mr Norton's family was "satisfied" and felt "justice has been done". | |
| As the Judge Warwick McKinnon passed the sentence on the "sorry and tragic case", the boys wept and hugged their parents. | |
| It just seemed they wanted to pick on someone James Norton, son Wife and son watched him die Parents told to control boys | It just seemed they wanted to pick on someone James Norton, son Wife and son watched him die Parents told to control boys |
| He said: "This was a vicious, entirely unprovoked and sustained group attack involving a barrage of missiles. | |
| "You had each hyped yourselves up by your earlier rowdy mischief and misbehaviour before you attacked the most unfortunate Ernest Norton, who just happened to be there enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon in the park with his son." | |
| Mr Norton had set up stumps with his 17-year-old son James in a tennis court to practise bowling. | Mr Norton had set up stumps with his 17-year-old son James in a tennis court to practise bowling. |
| But they were approached by up to 20 youths who began shouting abuse including, "rubbish bowler" and "go back to the old people's home". | But they were approached by up to 20 youths who began shouting abuse including, "rubbish bowler" and "go back to the old people's home". |
| Mr Norton tried to scare them off but they threw stones, rocks and pieces of wood at him and he collapsed bleeding heavily. | Mr Norton tried to scare them off but they threw stones, rocks and pieces of wood at him and he collapsed bleeding heavily. |
| "We were just keeping ourselves to ourselves," James Norton had told the court. | |
| "It just seemed they wanted to pick on someone." | "It just seemed they wanted to pick on someone." |
| James and his mother Linda watched as an off-duty police officer tried in vain to resuscitate Mr Norton. | James and his mother Linda watched as an off-duty police officer tried in vain to resuscitate Mr Norton. |