A VICIOUS gang who savagely beat and stabbed a man as he lay defenceless in a Mansfield street have been jailed for a total of nine years.
Stephen Pearce-Price (19), of Tennyson Street, Tony Boyle (41) of Burns Street, 15-year-old Joshua Shaw and Lenford Swift (17) punched, kicked and stabbed 27-year-old James Froggatt as he lay injured in Layton Avenue.
Mr Froggatt was attacked after a confrontation in the street got out of hand on 10th July 2008.
He was punched and beaten to the ground before he was stabbed by Pearce-Price in the back as he attempted to get up and defend himself.
The four men then took it in turns to beat Mr Froggatt.
He suffered serious blood loss to a chest cavity and underwent a life-saving operation at King's Mill Hospital.
The disturbance began shortly after 10pm when Shaw –– fuelled by booze and cannabis –– kicked off a wing mirror of a car parked in nearby Byron Street.
The rowdy yobs were then confronted by Lee Westwood, an Army engineer who apprehended Shaw and shouted Mr Froggatt to call the police.
Prosecutor Peter Walmsley told Nottingham Crown Court on Friday: "Mr Froggatt had already been attacked before he was stabbed with the knife.
"He was kicked and punched as he lay on the floor and stabbed in this vicious attack. If he had not received medical treatment as quickly as he did he could have died.
"This was a horrific life-threatenning assault. He is now left with the scars discomfort and mental scarring for the rest of his life."
In sentencing the group, Judge Andrew Hamilton said anybody who would read or hear about the incident would be horrified.
"There is enormous public concern about young men who attack people trying to defend their property," he said.
"The public deserve the right for protection through proper policing and proper sentencing by judges.
"This is the most disgusting incident and anyone who carries offences out like this can expect custody. It is only thanks to the good skills of the ambulance and doctors that Mr Froggatt did not die."
Judge Hamilton recommended that Mr Westwood and Mr Froggatt receive a special commendation for their bravery.
Jail terms handed out to the gang were:
Pearce-Price –– six years in young offenders' institute
Shaw –– 12 months in a young offenders' institute
Swift –– eight months in a young offenders' institute
Boyle –– 14 months.