A TEENAGE tearaway who led an attack on a Good Samaritan as he tried to help a pensioner on a Worcester housing estate has been sentenced to four years' detention.

Sarah Martin, aged 16, was convicted by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray.

Judge John Cavell described Martin, of Rodborough Close, Warndon, as the ringleader of a group of youngsters who punched and kicked Mark Hodgetts in November last year.

He was walking towards the Glovers Needle in Cranham Drive, Warndon, when he spotted the pensioner being verbally abused. Mr Hodgetts was attacked after asking the group to stop tormenting him.

Doctors at first feared the 30-year-old had suffered a broken jaw but later ruled the injury out. His leg was broken in two places and he suffered facial injuries.

Sobbed

Slightly-built Martin sobbed in the dock at Worcester Crown Court as the judge told her: "You took part in a vicious attack on a young man going to the aid of an elderly man being abused by a group of young people late in the evening.

"You led the attack and I regard you as the ringleader. You have a history of violent offences, despite your age, and have already served custody for violence."

Lee Marklew, defending, asked the judge to impose restrictions to stop identification of the teenager.

But after an application by the Press to name her, the judge said identification was in the public interest.

Judge Cavell told the court: "If this isn't a case for publicity, I don't know what is."

Mr Marklew said the offence was committed on the spur of the moment while encouraged by "mob mentality". One youth had stamped on the victim's legs.

He claimed she would revel in the notoriety if she was identified and it would make it harder to rehabilitate her and help her live down her past after serving her sentence. She had psychological problems, an attention deficit disorder, and repeatedly found it impossible to control herself.

The court heard that on being found guilty last month, Martin assaulted one of the dock officers.

Mr Marklew added that she was unable to accept the jury's verdict.

Judge Cavell said there had to be a substantial sentence to mark the seriousness of the offence.