A FATHER has spoken of his teenage son's fear at being robbed by two men during an “abhorrent attack” in East Barnet in February.

Jason Nash, of Martins Walk, Muswell Hill, and Glen Lawrence, of George Crescent, Muswell Hill, were jailed yesterday at Wood Green Crown Court for the assault on the 15-year-old schoolboy.

Landscape gardener Nash, 34, was found guilty earlier this month of robbery and two counts of assault on a police officer. Lawrence, 20, was found guilty of robbery.

The court heard the victim was running for a bus with two friends along East Barnet Road, at about 12.30am, when he was randomly forced into the road by Nash.

The boys got on the bus, but police said the two defendants started to swear and threaten them from the bus doors.

The frightened boys ran off the bus and were chased by the men. The victim was grabbed by his jacket and “violently assaulted” by Lawrence, police said.

The boy was robbed of his mobile phone, I-touch and headphones before a police patrol was called to the scene by witnesses.

Officers chased the two men and one was hit in the face by a bottle thrown by Nash before he was arrested. He later tried to headbutt an officer and bit another on the arm as he was taken into a north London police station.

Lawrence managed to escape immediately after the robbery but was traced by officers and charged with robbery.

Nash was jailed for four years while unemployed Lawrence was sentenced to four years in a youth offending institute.

Following the case the victim’s father, who cannot be identified, said his son was brave to endure the court case.

He said: “It scared the living daylights out him at the time, but he’s fine now. My son was determined to give evidence, he said, ‘It could be one of my friends next'.

“I should also say the process was made much easier by the way Nina, the officer in the case, kept us informed all the way through. I cannot praise her enough, in particular the way she spoke to us after the incident was so reassuring.”

Detective Constable Nina Muchamore, of Barnet CID, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the courage of the victim and his friend for giving evidence in this case. They are young people and court can be a daunting experience, they were extremely brave.

“I think I should also recognise the determination and the professionalism of the arresting officers. Their quick response and the way they persevered, despite the violence that was ranged against them, lead to the speedy arrest of Nash.

“This was an abhorrent attack by two grown men on a young schoolboy. I truly believe that justice has been well served by this sentence.”

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