THREE teenagers have been jailed for a vicious attack on a Blackburn youth who was thrown into a canal and left for dead.

A court heard Thomas Todd, 19, from Scotland Bank Terrace, Blackburn, was said to have been left looking like a rag doll after he was kicked, punched, stamped on and thrown into a canal.

The victim was so badly beaten he could not remember what happened, apart from being on the towpath and later waking up in hospital, Preston Crown Court heard.

Michael Ashton, 18, of Hodder Grove, Darwen, and Craig Newton, 17, who has been staying at a bail hostel in Darwen, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons were sentenced for the attack.

Newton pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding with intent and the other two teenagers admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm. Ashton had also pleaded guilty to stealing a ring from the victim.

Recorder Mr Andrew Lowcock sentenced Newton to three years detention and gave the others 18 months youth custody.

He described the attack as horrifying. He told the trio: "The behaviour of all three of you was completely out of control.

"You are lucky indeed that Mr Todd's injuries consist of nothing more serious than a broken nose."

"It is important the court sends out a message that conduct such as this will not be tolerated and will result in substantial sentences."

Miss Julie Taylor, prosecuting, said Thomas Todd had been out with friends and was making his way home along the canal bank at the back of the Moorings pub. The three defendants were also walking along the bank in the early hours of July 24 last year. Three schoolboys who saw the assault and someone else who had been with the defendants gave evidence to the police.

The companion said that a row broke out between Newton and Thomas who was then punched by Ashton. Newton threw him into the canal before jumping in after him.

The 19-year-old managed to scramble out of the water he was followed and attacked by the defendants.

The 16-year-old tripped him up and Newton was seen kicking, stamping and jumping on his head and ribs.

The youngest was also seen kicking the teenager in the body.

Miss Taylor added: "Mr Todd lost consciousness and had the appearance of a rag doll, according to witnesses."

At some point the 16-year-old, realising that things had gone too far, tried to stop the attack.

Mr Richard Bennett, who represented Ashton, told the court: "My client has asked me to express his remorse and the fact that he is thoroughly ashamed because of his involvement in that night.

"There is no doubt all the defendants on this unhappy night had taken a considerable amount of alcohol. That doesn't excuse what happened, but perhaps it is some explanation as to their involvement."

Mr Mark Stuart, who represented Newton, said: "This defendant does not seek to blame either of his co-defendants. He accepts he was completely wrong to kick this complainant when he was upon the ground."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.