‘Life’ may mean nine years

11:51am Tuesday 20th January 2004

THREE schoolboys who kicked a mentally-ill man to death following a row in a supermarket have been locked up for life but could be out in nine years.

Thirty-year-old Scott Osborne, of Lewisham, suffered fatal head injuries after he was savagely beaten by a 15-year-old and two 16-year-old youths outside Tesco, in Connington Road, the Old Bailey heard on January 16.

The thugs, who are now all a year older, were each convicted of murder last month.

Handing down the life sentences, Judge Barker said: "You knew perfectly well that what you did was gravely wrong and you have to live with the consequences.

"Each of you could have walked away."

Moments before the brutal attack, Mr Osborne was involved in a dispute near the checkout as he bought bread and milk.

The row spilled out into the street where Mr Osborne, who suffered from a borderline personality disorder and bouts of depression, was viciously attacked by the youths.

Mr Osborne was rushed, unconscious, to Lewisham Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

Mr Osborne suffered a number of external injuries including bruising and abrasions.

A post mortem examination also revealed a tear which had caused bleeding in his abdominal cavity.

The judge ordered the thugs each serve at least nine years before they can be considered for release.

One of the 17-year-olds swore and punched the perspex screen of the dock after he was sentenced.

The trio, from Greenwich, Deptford and New Cross, denied murdering Mr Osborne on November 30, 2002.

None of them can be named for legal reasons.