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Boys sentenced for stoning death Boys sentenced for stoning death
(10 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 sentenced to two years' detention for killing a father who collapsed with a heart attack after being pelted with stones and rocks.
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 targeted in February 2006.
The pair came under a hail of missiles and two stones hit Mr Norton's head.
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".
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.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".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. As 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 boysIt 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. Judge McKinnon 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.""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."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.