Mugshots of teenagers after LSD-fuelled violent rampage released by police
Teenagers bungled robbery of Co-op before attacking newspaper boy for his bike
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A trio of knife-wielding teenagers high on LSD held up a Co-op in Kent and smashed a glass bottle of whisky into a newspaper delivery boy’s face after the robbery was thwarted by quick-thinking staff.
Joseph Hilden, Kieran Caton and Sam Mills, all aged 18, have been jailed for the two attacks carried out within minutes of each other near Ashford.
The alleged ringleader of the group, Hilden, who was 17 at the time of the attack, and who has claimed to have bitten off an inmate’s ear while in prison since, said he wished the trio had instead tried to rob a store which had more money, Canterbury Crown Court heard.
Hilden, Caton and Mills had all taken LSD and dressed themselves in thick black clothing and balaclavas for the robbery at the shop in Kennington, a suburb of Ashford.
During the attack, on 26 February, Caton and Mills waited outside, while Hilden went into the shop, pulled a kitchen knife from his trousers and screamed “Give me the money” to the member of staff at the till.
Brave shop worker Noella Jarvis thwarted the robbery by hiding the cash behind her back before Hilden jumped over the shop counter to search through the cash register.
CCTV evidence played to the court showed Hilden drawing the blade and threatening to stab store manager Tom Rowe and customer Paul Spencer, who had tried to apprehend him.
Realising he would have to leave without the money, Hilden snatched a bottle of whisky from the shelf behind the till and made his exit,
But in a move described by Judge Rupert Lowe as indicating “dangerous and disturbing bravado”, Hilden returned to the shop and made further shouted threats.
They then targeted a paper boy, with the apparent aim of stealing his bicycle.
Hilden threatened to stab the boy before smashing him over the head with the whisky bottle, said prosecutor Mark Halfey.
All three were arrested hours after the incident when police used CCTV from the Co-op to trace them.
A psychiatric report read out in court said Hilden displayed “disarming candour” in detailing his previous criminal exploits.
While speaking to a doctor Hilden admitted he had burned girls with cigarettes and beaten them, and had also stabbed a passer-by because he was “upset about something else”.
Judge Lowe said: “I fear you are a person at the present who doesn’t know how to care for the misery you cause to others.”
Hilden was seen gesticulating in court, to which the judge responded: “It’s like watching a primary school in action, but a very dangerous one because they arm themselves with knives.”
When the doctor asked about the attack at the Co-op in Kennington, Hilden replied: “I wish I had never done it, I should have picked another shop to get more money,” the court heard.
Phil Rowley, representing Hilden, said his client had previously lived a chaotic lifestyle but has begun changing his ways and addressing the cause of his behaviour while in custody, Kent Messenger reports.
Hilden pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit robbery, two robberies and possession of a bladed article at the earliest opportunity.
He was sentenced to five years and three on extended licence.
The court heard he had 29 previous convictions including for robbery, possession of offensive weapons and causing actual bodily harm.
Caton pleaded guilty to robbery, theft and possession of a knife on the day of trial and was given a custodial sentence of three years and six months.
They will both serve their sentences inside a young offenders’ institute.
Mills pleaded guilty to two robberies and possessing a knife at the earliest opportunity.
He was given a 16-month suspended sentence and handed 200 hours unpaid work alongside a 20-day rehabilitation order.
Additional reporting by SWNS