Tamils who savagely attacked a group of North Koreans over a game of football have been sentenced to a total of 17 years behind bars.
Hammers, cricket bats and even a scythe were used in the terrifying assault in Cromwell Avenue, New Malden, on September 12, 2009.
Kwang Myong Kim, 41, was cornered in the park and set upon with weapons, to such an extent he needed dental reconstruction and suffered bleeding from the ears.
Myongchul Lee, 52, spent five days in hospital after he was assaulted with a hammer.
He suffered a broken jaw, required surgery and now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, so disturbing was the assault.
Anujen Vijayarhaven, 24, of Coombefield Close, New Malden, Rham Buvanendra, 24, of Cavendish Road, New Malden, Muralietharan Yogananthan, 23, of The Crescent, New Malden, and Vijayaghanapathy Vijay, 24, of Upper Richmond Road, Putney, were handed the sentences at Kingston Crown Court on Monday.
Vijayarhaven was found guilty of wounding Mr Kim and Mr Lee with intent and received six-and-a-half years on both counts, to run concurrently.
The others were found guilty of violent disorder and each sentenced to three-and-a-half-years.
Judge Martin Binning said: “This was an appalling and unjustified example of premeditated violence where weapons have been brought to the scene.
“It is a serious example of violent disorder and a disgraceful attack all in the presence of women and children who must have been terrified as is evident by the described screams of distress.
“You have all helped fuel the incident to cause serious injury.”
The plan of attack was formed when Vijayarhaven, Buvanendra and Yogananthan were asked to leave the football pitch in the park so the Koreans could finish their game.
Feeling humiliated, they rang for back-up and, when it arrived, launched their attack, raining blows upon the Korean men with a variety of weapons,
Others decided to take the law into their own hands, and one, Haesung Go, armed himself with a kitchen knife in a desperate attempt to protect his family, who were also at the park, the court heard.
http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/n...38640.display/
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