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Happy-slap horror: The moment girl, 3, saw grandfather killed

Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent
26 Jul 2010


















Shocking footage shows a man dying in the street after a “happy slapping” attack as his bewildered granddaughter stands by his side.

CCTV footage released today shows 67-year-old Ekram Haque lying flat on his back as his hooded attackers aged 14 and 15 flee.

They ran up behind and felled him with a powerful blow for the fun of it. A judge ordered that the boys, previously granted anonymity because of their age, be named and shamed.

Leon Elcock and Hamza Lyzai struck as Mr Haque waited with three-year-old Marian outside the Idara-e-Jafferiya mosque in Church Lane, Tooting, last August.

In the film she is seen playing at a railing under his watchful eye when the thugs, who had filmed previous attacks on a mobile phone, attack.

The girl goes to his side, falls to her knees, her hand pushed out across his chest towards his face as if pleading with her grandfather to get up and show he is all right.

A man in white robes, believed to be Mr Haque's son Arfan, rushes out of the mosque and takes the little girl inside before phoning for help. Elcock was on bail for an attack on an elderly Asian couple at the time.

Leon Elcock, Hamza Lyzai and Ekram Haque
Killers and victim: Leon Elcock, left, Hamza Lyzai and their victim Ekram Haque
Mr Haque, a retired care worker, suffered severe brain injury when his head hit the pavement and he died a week later in hospital.

Elcock and Lyzai had attacked two other Asian men outside the mosque moments earlier. They had also taken part in a happy-slapping attack on an elderly Asian couple five days previously, kicking and stamping on them in their own home.

Judge Martin Stephens told them: “You committed a series of very serious, cowardly, deeply unpleasant offences against elderly and vulnerable men and women. The attacks were entirely gratuitous and done without thought for your victims. Some of the attacks carried out on earlier occasions, although not of the same seriousness, were filmed by you as part of what you saw as fun. As a result of your so-called bit of fun, Mr Haque was deprived of a full and content life and his family were deprived of a devoted, inspiring and beloved father and a grandfather.” Three teenagers were originally charged with the murder of Mr Haque but lawyers accepted pleas to lesser offences after consulting the victim's family. Elcock, now 16, and Lyzai, 15, both from Tooting, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Elcock was sentenced to four and a half years and Lyzai to three and a half. With time served already, Elcock could be free in 18 months while Lyzai could be out in just over a year.

The charge against a third defendant, who was 14, will lie on the file. He was sentenced to six months detention for two other attacks.

The judge said his powers of sentence in relation to the assaults were “very limited” because of the defendants' ages. He lifted restrictions on naming Elcock and Lyzai as a warning to others “who may be tempted to indulge in such appalling behaviour”. Outside the Old Bailey, Arfan Haque was furious that Elcock had been let out on bail after a previous attack, saying: “The Crown Prosecution Service needs to buck up their ideas, because they are being bailed and just walking free. My father is dead, it's just a disgrace.”

Leon Elcock, Hamza Lyzai and Ekram Haque
Killers and victim: Leon Elcock, left, Hamza Lyzai and their victim Ekram Haque
He said his daughter had been traumatised by what happened because she had a special relationship with her grandfather.

Prosecutor Brian Altman, QC, had told the court: “This was a wanton and cowardly attack which was quite deliberately targeted on middle-aged and elderly men for fun and for the defendants' own pleasure.” The two killers regularly filmed their violence on strangers and called themselves “Lane Gang Productions”.

Mr Altman added: “Video clips recorded these two defendants in a so-called happy slapping spree.

“One of them strikes or slaps an unsuspecting person and the other records it on a mobile phone or camera. The youths then run off jeering and laughing at these escapades.” Mr Altman said there were at least six films showing such attacks.

Gang leader and his camera man

Lawyers for the “happy slap” gang claimed they were simply bored teenagers craving entertainment.

Oliver Blunt QC told the court: “They are young, bored, listless youths who sought entertainment in this extremely unpleasant and distorted fashion.”

Throughout the Old Bailey case the three defendants did not show a flicker of remorse, sitting impassively as they watched the sickening violence on CCTV film.

Leon Elcock, the oldest of the three and the gang leader, was said to recruit his “foot soldiers” with the same ruthless intimidation he showed his victims. He shares a council house in Tooting with his mother and five siblings. A serial truant after being suspended from school for assaulting a teacher, he is suspected of committing several robberies.

Hamza Lyzai is Ugandan-born. Neighbours claim he was transformed from a polite boy into a killer when he joined the gang.

The youngest defendant, who was not named, photographed the gang's attacks. All the “happy slap” clips recovered by police were found on his mobile.

A teacher told police she found him watching internet clips of elderly people being happy slapped and he was “laughing hysterically.”

Reader views (72)

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I think we should start a Facebook Group and drum up support to bring a Private Prosecution against these scum bags. Its embarassing that the CPS have come to the decision to accept a plea of manslaughter when it is clear that this was an unprovoked pre-meditated vicious physical attack resulting in death which are legal grounds to bring a case for murder.

I was almost in tears watching the footage of that little girl trying to comfort her dying grandfather, she will be traumatised for life after what she witnessed. I was absolutely shocked and horrified by this case and so should the authorities have been.

Our legal system is an embarassment and this proves it.

- Andy Cook, Keighley, England, 29/07/2010 13:47
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Leon was in year 11 and i know him. He went to Graveney School. I wouldnt believe he would do such a thing. This person should have a death penalty. I think the police should taken action on the previous attacks. This could have prevented the death of Ekram Haque. This is just not right. He should be sentenced for atleast 20 years.

- Abdul, Lonodn, Tooting, 27/07/2010 13:22
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It isn't going to take very long before vigilante groups start waiting for scum like this to be released and then imposing the correct sentences.

The Government, police and judiciary have completely lost all credibility with sentences like this. The minimum they should have got was life with no parole. The ideal would have been the hangman's noose.

- Adam, Harrow, UK, 27/07/2010 11:27
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Emma: Have you ever witnessed two siblings going to school, one with shoes on and one without? Have you ever seen children at Covent Garden market first thing in the morning collecting all the old potatoes and fruit? Do you know anyone who goes to sleep in Winter at 5pm because they haven't got any money for the gas meter to keep warm. No,? Neither have I, but in my Mother's generation that did happen and that WAS poverty! I'm sick to death of people blaming this kind of violence on poverty. The fact is that over time we have grown into a too tolerant and weak country and unfortunately due to us joining the EU our hands are tied to bring back corporal and capital punishment. I guarantee that all kinds of violent crime would drop like a stone if someone thought they'd end up on the end of a rope for their evil deeds! I'll be six foot under before anyone in this country starts getting tough with all the vermin this country either breeds or adopts!

- Sue, Kent, 27/07/2010 08:29
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I would like all news media to stop using the term they use to describe this type of attack - I will not even use it here. The same for when families murder a member for not marrying the "right" person, or having a relationship with the "wrong" person. You all know which term I mean.

- Peter, London, 27/07/2010 07:44
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Can anyone actually explain why these loathsome individuals were given such lenient sentences? Reading the HM Prison Servive pages would suggest anyone aged over 10 but under 18 can be given "Detention for life" for manslaughter. So how exactly does a pitiful 3 and a half years come into play? And if the judge is in fact constrained by the system then the system needs changing and that's whta the government are there for. A man has lost his life, a family had their's irreversibly affected. And the perpetrators will be back on the streets laughing about it in a year and carrying on their trend of violent crime on their next unfortuanate victim. It's a disgrace. My sympathies to this famil and also to Jon Elstar and his family who posted earlier.

- NB, London, 27/07/2010 00:06
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There is absolutely no excuse for this type of criminal behaviour. I am a Black Caribbean person; I have lived in this country since 1961. When I came to the UK I was exposed to the worst social conditions then existing especially for Black immigrants. Yet with fewer facilities than now exist for personal advancement,other young Black boys and girls were focussed on exploiting the limited opportunities for self advancement whilst holding jobs white folks eschewed. Today's young working class boys, Black and White are spoilt for choice as to the avenues available to better themselves. Instead of making use of the various opportunities available, with the help and complicity of the liberal do-good establishment they indulge these young hoodlums in their criminal behaviour always available and ready to provide excuses for their behaviour. I am glad that their identities were made public, and I am sorry that the sentence was so lenient and in appropriate. If the law allows their parents and or guardians should also have been named and shamed for their part in this crime. Parents should be held responsible for the wrongs committed by their children. They brought them into the world it’s their duty to nurture and bring them up to be useful citizens. The only mitigating factor perhaps is the fact that successive governments have gradually taken away the ability of parents to be parents in the comprehensive sense of the term. The goody goody left has much to answer for.

- Winston, Lewisham, London, 26/07/2010 23:58
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"Oliver Blunt QC told the court: “They are young, bored, listless youths who sought entertainment in this extremely unpleasant and distorted fashion.”

OK Oliver is this what "young bored listless youths" normally do????? This ia a very POOR excuse for what that scum did to that man. Lets see your reaction when some scumbag does this to your loved ones? This was a needless wanton attack on a defenceless elderly man and the worst part of it is his 3 year old granddaugther saw it all. They are scum and should be treated like scum - jailed for life and life meaning life.

- bjj, Sydney, Australia, 26/07/2010 22:37
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so we all moan and say how bad this is.............how can we have nearly 40 million voters in this country and yet these things go on-less than a year in prison for this!!!!!!!!!!!
What do we all do about it-nothing and yes, i am as guilty as anyone else.
why are we not bombarding every politician in this land to sit up and do something?
Maybe one day........

- EastDulwichLad, EastDulwich, London, 26/07/2010 21:44
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I am absolutely horrified by this case. This lenient sentancing makes me sick - 4 years for an innocent life taken - absolutely disgusting and leaves zero faith in the Criminal "Justice" system. All my sympathies go out to the family.

- Catherine, London, 26/07/2010 21:38
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One other thing regarding this case I think has been overlooked is that I feel these attacks were racially motivated. I think the black youths targeted asians. Why wasn't this factored in?

It's a waste of time calling for the death penalty, flogging etc. The fact is, the decision makers and law men in this country don't have to live around the people that we encounter on a day to day basis. While they don't affect their way of life, ie, having to go to the shop at 7pm and hope you don't have to pass them in the street, then they will never address the problems they cause.
This will annoy you, I don't think prison is the answer for kids, or youth custody. It certainly didn't improve Jon Venables did it? There is something wrong in the way these kids are being raised. It will take a strong social services organisation and 'proper' social workers to intervene, if only to just tell the kids the difference between right and wrong. There are some kids out there who simply have no idea. And they will grow into adults who have no idea, who will have kids, with no idea.

- Tracy Javid, Luton Bedfordshire, 26/07/2010 20:53
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It seems to me OK to use the term " white trash", I wonder , what do the left-wing Liberal think of this attack?

- monkey for sale, london, 26/07/2010 20:48
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Emma - He wasn't implying that a particular ethnic group contributed to all the 'happy slapping' at all. However that particular group does contribute more than it's fair share of anti-social behaving kids. They make up approximately 10% of London's population, yet more than 50% of the murders committed in London annually are done by kids of that group!! Makes you wonder, doesn't it ?

Oh and please don't say it's the media's fault or society's because they've been marginalised! Asians and other ethnic groups came to this country with the same setbacks! Yet, they don't do horrendous stuff like this at all!

- Ramirez, London, UK, 26/07/2010 19:48
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@ adam these things never happen in africa because they know tey have a chance to make it. england blocks the path to success for these kids. i know. in africa, the cabinet is black, head of police is black so they know its possible. however , this isnt so in the UK. Even Jedward are stars , have u seen a talentless black person in the UK. Never that.

- jeff, peckham, 26/07/2010 19:37
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Scum like this should be executed, no place in our society for them!

- Ramirez, London, UK, 26/07/2010 19:31
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absolutely pathetic sentance, what is going through these judges minds? is because they are black? are we pandering to the minority? makes the elderly more uneasy now they have very little protection from these scum.

- ron, london, 26/07/2010 19:29
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This Judge is a total and utter disgrace, we see this kind of pathetic sentencing time and time again. This is a case for bringing back hanging.....and the Judge should be the first one to be strung up. I`m actually more disgusted by the Judges behaviour than that of the 2 yobs.

- Matt, Islington, 26/07/2010 18:42
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The rope or lethal injection -- the only things that will protect humans from these vermin. I wonder how many more will die by their hand over their lifetimes.

- Phil Jones, London EU, 26/07/2010 18:36
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@ Emma & Jules

Poverty in the literal sense is a factor involved in social deprivation which can in it's own right lead to depraved behaviour. BUT in the less literal sense, these young lads have a POVERTY of some description: love, care, empathy, compassion, those things are all missing from their emotional make-up and that is nothing to do with finances. Although it could be argued that people living below survival levels or 'below the bread line' are often unable to give their children the time and input and security of housing and elementary basics, requirements for the secure emotional state that forms the basis of personality development (Malsow's hierarchy of need). If these young men come from countries where horrific atrocities are perpetrated routinely, how can we expect them to be 'civilised' in any other context? Maybe that isn't the case, I don't know.

Also, although this is horrific injustice, statistics show that the average male who kills his wife or lover only gets a sentence of 18 months (under 'dimished responsibility & manslaughter). Averagely 2 men a week kill a woman known to them. Therefore, this injustice transcends class systems. This leniency is not reflected in women who kill - the average sentence being 10 years minimum even taking into account self-defence / defending children. :(

WE NEED URGENT POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL REFORM - WE NEED MPs AND JUDGES WHO LIVE IN THE REAL WORLD ** NOW **

- Real, London, 26/07/2010 18:14
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I'm just off to add Uganda to my map of Europe, apparently they joined and nobody told me

- George, London, 26/07/2010 17:57
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To Jules – aka the comment police, I did not once say that being poor was an excuse for this kind of behaviour. There is no excuse. But having read numerous studies and seen with my own eyes, a disadvantaged background/upbringing, etc, is the common factor that leads to anti-social behaviour – NOT skin colour. That’s not to say that if you come from this kind of background, you will definitely go down this path – of course that is not the case. But if we expect to put an end to this kind of thing, it is the root of anti-social behaviour that needs to be addressed, not vilifying all members of a particular racial group. As for only referring to blacks and whites, next time I will have to remember to be more inclusive!

- Emma, London, 26/07/2010 17:24
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the lab, lib con trick are operating a cartel ie their all the same why do think this country has become more and more unsafe over the last fifty years, they are week and hopeless when comes to dealing with serious crime such as this, we need a new polictical party thats got the guts to deal with scum like this walking the streets, condolences to mr haques family.

- paul., busted britain., 26/07/2010 17:23
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@Barry, Welwyn

What does this incident have to do with the coalition government that was sworn in a mere 2 months ago?

These thugs were in their early teens when they committed this crime and therefore spent almost their entire youth under the LABOUR government that has failed this country so drastically. They are a product of Labour policies and failures!

Now all you pathetic Labourites are trying to palm off your government's legacy onto those who are left with the duty of cleaning up your mess. What utter hypocrites!

If numbers of police do have to be cut it'll be because the coalition are having to recoup the billions of pounds that the Labour government wasted or used to line their pockets.

If Labour had actually fulfilled their promises about "being tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime" and "education, education, education", rather than throwing money down the drain on failed policies/schemes, bureaucracy and quangos then these kids might never have turned out the way they have.

And if they hadn't brought this country to the brink of bankruptcy the coalition wouldn't be faced with the prospect of having to cut public services when they are so desperately needed to cope with the mess Labour have left us in.

You lot can't twist the facts the way you did when you were in power. We all know exactly who's responsible for the problems in our society, and the blame lies firmly at Labour's door!

- Steven, London, 26/07/2010 17:18
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Regarding Ugandan born Lyzai, wouldn't it be great if just once the bleeding heart liberal regime deported this thug for his crime back to a country that might look less favourably on murder and punish him properly. Go on Mr Damian Green, if you or any of your flunkies down at the immigration office happen to read this news item and the associated comments, read between the lines of what a lot of people think should happen when he has blead the country dry at her majesty's pleasure teach him that he should of been a lot more grateful to of had the opportunity to live in England. It should be a true honour to live in one of the best countries in the world, not a right. And dont start with the old human rights chestnut, what human rights do the victim and his family have now?

- Matt, London England, 26/07/2010 17:03
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To Emma, being "poor" should never be an excuse for such brutal behaviour. You offend all those who grew up in such circumstances, but who have gone on to make a better life for themselves by sheer hard work. We make too many excuses for these brutes, whatever their ethnicity. Also, your comment "but in reality it is an alarming trend we're seeing in today's youth whether white or black" is rather simplistic. You infer that youths of other ethnicities do not commit such crimes which obviously they do.

- Jules from the South, London, 26/07/2010 16:52
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@Jeff

These things happen with sad frequency precisely because soft liberals such as yourself are quick to blame society rather than making the individual take responsibility for their own actions.

The sort of jobs you mention are highly paid because of the unique skill sets the jobs entail. The fact that bankers come in all colours from all backgrounds rubbishes your thesis that mindless thugs like this require 'chances and equality'.

What they require are roll models of people actually working for a living, prepared to graft to better themselves and their families (like Mr Haque probably).

The communities from where these thugs come from need to take a long hard look at absentee fathers and broken families. The benefits system also needs to be reviewed so it does not reward two singles over one couple.

I do agree with you that the media must take some reponsibility in promoting celebrity lifestyles ad nauseum, and promoting absolute non-entities into 'stars' via reality TV programmes.

- Adam, London, 26/07/2010 16:52
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Well said Emma

- East, London, 26/07/2010 16:34
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Emma suggests "...that this is more to do with disadvantage than anything else".

Their upbringing must have played a part in making them who they are now.

But what they are now is PURE EVIL, and society must be protected. There is no way they can possibly be reformed in a few months or years.

- Kev, Bromley, 26/07/2010 16:34
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Our son died from a single punch that knocked him to the ground and cracked his head open. His killer was on remand for 15 months in Belfast awaiting trial. He pleaded guilt to manslaughter and was subsequently released. His murderer is now walking free and 3 years on my family are still in shock and grief. The law is an ass and needs serious reform. We protect offenders and punish the victim way to often, a motoring offender can receive a more severe punishment than a killer. My thoughts and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Ekram Haque.

- Jon Elstar, London, 26/07/2010 16:27
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In response to the ridiculous comments of Abdus from London, yes, this is an absolutely appalling crime but could you please tell us how racial profiling would have helped prevent this? If you are saying that all people from 'certain communities' are potential happy slappers, you're being very ignorant. You insinuate that this is common practice in the black community, but in reality it is an alarming trend we're seeing in today's youth whether white or black. Rather than singling out particular types of people to vilify, perhaps you should consider that this is more to do with disadvantage than anything else. I would never excuse such behaviour but not everyone has access to the same opportunities and quality of life and this is when anti-social behaviour occurs. Not because of the colour of your skin. But rather than investing in poorer communities to help provide the support they obviously dont have (and I dont just mean doling out benefits), the government are slashing spending here and so the problem is only going to get worse. I guess they are just as short-sighted as Abdus here!

- Emma, London, 26/07/2010 16:10
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Disgusting! What has happened to this country???

- Simon, London, 26/07/2010 16:00
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please read folks....Adam y deport the ugandan boy, its england that turned him into a monster so y send him back. i think what they done is disgusting but then again its the media to blame. too much gangstar rap and bling culture being promoted when the real winners are the bankers and city hotshots and hedge fund managers but these boys dont know that. its a different world to them and the gap has to be bridged. until then, these things will be common in our society. they dont need black rolemodels, they need a chance and they need equality.

- jeff, peckham, 26/07/2010 15:59
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i hope they spend the rest of their lives looking over their shoulders . What a disgrace this is not murder . It does not matter that they did not intend to kill , but once you step over that line you must wear the consequences . If you kill someone in this manner it MUST be murder and norhing less.

- Darren, London, 26/07/2010 15:58
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In Texas you fry them real good!

- Pat, New York, 26/07/2010 15:55
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Since this farce of a coalition government seems hell bent on creating the Big Society, how about it toughens up a few laws, so that when it cuts police numbers and expects us to look after ourselves, we will at least have the comfort of knowing that garbage like this might actually be scared of the consequebces of their actions.
Don't hold your breath chaps - this didn't happen near Eton or Harrow, so it doesn't really matter does it?

- Barry, Welwyn England, 26/07/2010 15:33
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'Elcock was sentenced to four and a half years and Lyzai to three and a half. With time served already, Elcock could be free in 18 months while Lyzai could be out in just over a year.'
What a total disgrace - no wonder so few people have no respect any more for the law in England. Can the CPS appeal against these sentences? Can the judge be struck off for his appalling lack of judgement?

- tony, london, 26/07/2010 15:28
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I don't suppose there's a chance of deporting Ugandan-born Lyzai, in case his human rights are abused. these people are never likely to change even if they did receive proper custodial sentances. Can't we change the sytem to allow juries to set the sentance...

- Adam, London, 26/07/2010 15:26
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IMHO and this is only my own opinion if I were the son I would seek to get justice myself, because the British justice system has failed this family. I would look to put in place some sort of arrangement that when these guys are released from prison then they should not see a second day of freedom (an eye for an eye). It is true that that this will not bring back the father but that should be the law an eye for an eye. If it were my father then that is what I would look to do. What surprises me the most is that happy slapping (a barbaric act) seems to be a practice commonly carried out by youngsters who have no morality and are from a certain community!!! Why is that?? When is someone going to face fact and tell it how it is and stop being so PC? We have a problem amongst youths of a certain ethnicity, and if we don't start to racially profile them then we are going to regret it. We do it with the Muslim community so why do we shy away from other communities..

- Abdus, London, 26/07/2010 15:24
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These kind of people should be made to watch an autopsy performed, so they will know what it is like to take a life, families are left hurting.

- l wright, New York, 26/07/2010 15:14
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This is a disgusting and horrific attack and JUSTICE IS NOT SERVED. I can't bring myself to watch the video.

I just hope that somewhere in their hearts these boys can feel shame and sorrow for what they have done - I'm glad at least the media have been allowed to name them. They will not be considered 'hard men' in prison and will surely get what's coming to them. Also, they have disgraced their families and friends - I doubt anyone who knows these lads will be laughing and joking about this low down activity.

We must remember that sadly these boys are NOT animals, they are human beings, and they have acted in a way that humans are shockingly capable of. Society needs to collectively consider how to both prevent and cure / rehabilitate such lost souls - and part of that is that punishment SHOULD fit the crime and not be avoided by fancy footwork by barristers.

I do wonder how horrifically alienated from life and / or what substances they were using that assisted them on their way to be so numb and brutal against innocent people who had not in any way harmed them?

- Space, London, 26/07/2010 15:13
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How much longer do we have to put up with ludicrous sentencing like this? Is it any wonder that morons keep committing strings of offences when punishments like this are the result.Plus of course they're only likely to serve half of the time.If the reason for this is that our prisons are full then for goodness sake build some more,quickly.With all the "good causes" lottery money slushing around perhaps some should be diverted to the "good cause" of locking up dangerous criminals so that law abiding citizens can walk the streets without fear of being attacked. Noticed I said "attacked" and not "happy slapped".Whoever invented that term should be" happily " locked up along with the other morons.

- Peter, Harrow, 26/07/2010 15:06
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damn them to damned hell... the hard way. them and all their support mechanism.

- moronamid, London England, 26/07/2010 15:03
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This is enough to make anyone's blood boil with anger. Why can't we EVER see justice properly done in these cases? Why does it ALWAYS seem like these people get away with it? WHY?

- Jethro Penzance, Bodmin, 26/07/2010 15:03
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this kind of sentencing just keeps happening. how can any person in a position of influence or power think it's satisfactory or just? i'd like to know what other EU countries do.

- Ben Farrell, London, 26/07/2010 14:59
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"Elcock" - with a surname like that, he must have had a hard time at school. Doesn't excuse what he did - might explain it though.

- Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher, 26/07/2010 14:41
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Not surprised by any aspect of this story ... sadly.

- Frank, Home Counties, England., 26/07/2010 14:41
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Capital punishment reinstated - public referendum NOW !!!

- Andy Woodhead, London, ENGLAND, 26/07/2010 14:41
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Re "Elcock was on bail for an earlier attack on an elderly Asian couple at the time of the attack."

I wonder if the attacks were racially motivated - did the Police and CPS explore this? Had they done so and it had proven to be the case, a much longer sentence would have been due - and hopefully handed out.

- Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher, 26/07/2010 14:40
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A three year old has to watch her grandfather get beaten to death, and the three assailants get 7 years between them...

I am disgusted and amazed.

- James, London, 26/07/2010 14:33
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This failure to make the punishment fit the crime is clearly at odds with public opinion and indeed the callouness and severity of the incident. Surely, whoever is responsible for controlling the judiciary should intervene and have the sentence reviewed.

At the same time, the government needs to review sentencing guidles, as time and time again judges hand out sentences that manifestly don't fit the crime.

- Peter, Henley, UK, 26/07/2010 14:32
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I hope they live the most miserable lives imaginable and suffer for the rest of their days - I spit on their faces in disgust.

- Jo, London, 26/07/2010 14:25
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Why do we have to put up with this?! People who behave like this should either be locked up for good, or deported! Why can't our justice system deliver real justice. The purpetrators get of lightly whilst the victims suffer immensely! Something is not right.

- Pete, London, 26/07/2010 14:16
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This is really a pathetic couple, what I would do is give them a slapping in front of the cameras, so everyone can see them suffer, then jail them for life.

Yes caged for life, act like animals get treated like an animal.

- Charles, Bedford, 26/07/2010 14:11
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I vote to let the family have 5 minutes with the pair, in a locked room; with both of them tied to a chair. Then let the family loose to "Happy Slap" them with whatever they choose to slap them with.

- Paul Humphreys, Essex, 26/07/2010 14:08
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You hear about crime everyday and often it's nothing new and easily forgotten. That video really is shocking to see and it's really hit me! Really really sad... only punishment acceptable for this should be life without parole or hanging (give the vermina choice).

- Sanjay, Hounslow, UK, 26/07/2010 13:59
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Notice their victims were all much older people and probably thats all they could manage. What a pair of lemons.

- Stephend, London, England, 26/07/2010 13:58
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He was by no means as the article states, thier first victim. I agree with the family in that justice has not been done in the menial sentence they have received.

The Nanny state of this country and I speak as a mother of three children, has ruined parental control and left vast numbers of thugs like this to do what the heck they like from schools to public places. All wrong. Ship them to Afganistan.

- Tessa, London, 26/07/2010 13:57
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Broken Britain.

Broken Families.

Broken Justice.

Broken Society.

Broken Parliament.

Welcome to the sheer hell of living in the UK.

- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, UKSSR, 26/07/2010 13:47
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The punishment should fit the crime.

- Volpone, Stoke Newington, London, 26/07/2010 13:44
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My heart and soul goes out to this poor man, his family and his beautiful grandchild. The horror of what he and other victims went through at the hands of these boys.

And my heart goes out to those boys. I can't hate them, I pity them. Their lives, upbringing and souls must be so bleak, empty and devoid of love, that they find their behaviour acceptable. I hope they are uneducated, ignorant and without conscience, because if they aren't, then the moral consequences of their actions will be impossible to live with.

- Tracy Javid, Luton Bedfordshire, 26/07/2010 13:39
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The people who carried out this attack are the scum of the earth. It takes a certain level of low life to attack anyone let alone someone with a small child with them. Shame they were not hit by a bus as they ran away like the cowards that they are. With any luck, they will be the victim of a good few happy slapping incidents in prison by people a lot bigger that they are. We can only hope.

- SarahJenkins, London, 26/07/2010 13:34
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This is an outrage.

Does anyone really believe that these killers will not be an extreme danger to public safety when they are released in 18 months?

In a sensible country, a doctor would be found to declare these evil monsters psychotically and criminally insane--which they clearly are. And they would be locked up for the rest of their lives.

It is this kind of story which makes the criminal justice system look totally ridiculous. All those responsible should be deeply ashamed.

- Kev, Bromley, 26/07/2010 13:33
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18 months? The Judge should be jailed alongside them ... what a disgrace.

- Liberal, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 26/07/2010 13:32
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England today?

- mickinlondon, london, 26/07/2010 13:31
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Scum and utter cowards.

The Police have deserted the streets and now only react after a incident (then only sometimes).
We are not allowed to carry anything for self defense, ie pepper spray etc.
The entire justice system is laughable.
The politicians and Police chiefs in the UK should be utterly ashamed of themselves. The most important thing they are responsible (and highly paid) for is our safety, and they fail miserably day after day.

- Roger, Devon, 26/07/2010 13:27
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A minimum 25 year sentence would have been too lenient for these cowardly attackers, 4 years is an insult which only adds to the families anguish, I hope they appeal to the Attorney General.

R.I.P

- Callum, Sinking London, 26/07/2010 13:25
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What a horrific, cowardly attack. It really makes you wonder what went wrong when they were growing up. What made them think this is funny? What made them think it was ok to do this? The family must be devastated, an innocent man stands with his granddaughter in the street, completely minding his own business, and he is set upon by three mindless idiots who kill him. I can barely believe it sometimes.

- Dave Y, London, 26/07/2010 13:23
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"Elcock was on bail for an earlier attack on an elderly Asian couple at the time of the attack". Welcome to Great British justice again!!!
What a pair of parasites! Just string them up and save the wider community from them.

- IshouldbePM, Somewhere in deepest England, 26/07/2010 13:19
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Absolute scum...they should have been given a lot longer than just a few years. People like this need to be taught a real lesson and left inside for at least 20 years! Give them some time to think about what they did, they'll just be back on the rampage as soon as they come out!

- Claudio, London, 26/07/2010 13:16
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Life is cheap in this country now. It's all over.

Rather than call them poor Mr Haque's killers, can we please refer to them correctly as his murderers?

- NR, Tower Hamlets, 26/07/2010 13:15
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Yet again human scum literally get away with murder. They will only serve half their sentance and be free to carry on their careers of crime while the victims have to live with the actions of the perpetrators for life. Where is the punishment these days?

- Paul, London, 26/07/2010 13:12
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The best case for bringing back the death penalty I've come across in a while.
These two are sociopaths and there's no way they will be transformed by a few years detention. They're gonna come out even worse and do worse things.
They should have been put away for life if anything.
Animals.

- Amir, London, 26/07/2010 13:05
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