The four teenagers are facing life sentences after being convicted of murder. Nicholas Garland, 18, Shane Liddy, 19, Richard McNamara, 19, and Darryll Bennett, 18, all from Luton, had all denied the charge.Four youths who were "fuelled by drink and drugs" stamped on his head and struck him with a stick. The impact of the blows dented his cycle helmet.
Stephen Green, 55, a corporal who served with the Army for nine years, was attacked in an underpass as he was cycling home from work in Dunstable, Beds.One of the teenagers was later overheard boasting to the others: "Did you see his face, did you see the way I was battering him."Prosecutors said the killers were unemployed and desperate for a "raise", which is a slang term for robbery to raise cash for alcohol and drugs.Mr Green's rucksack was taken but discarded shortly afterwards with its contents of £5.65.The victim died in hospital from a blood clot in the brain after the attack last May.
Mr Green served in the Royal Ordnance Corps and did tours of duty in Belize, Cyprus and Norway as well as serving with the UN. After leaving the Army he took a job as a factory worker in Dunstable.He was attacked last May 4 on a path that ran under the M1. Bennett stopped Mr Green as he cycled through the tunnel and demanded: "What have you got for me?"Mr Green had no time to hand anything over before he was punched to the ground and kicked repeatedly.He was left severely injured as the youths ran away laughing. It was two hours before a passer-by found him and he died 10 days later.Luton Crown Court heard that the youths went back to McNamara's home, where his mother overheard them talking.Mrs McNamara heard Bennett say: "Did you see his face, did you see the way I was battering him." McNamara replied: "You were going mad, man. I tried to get you off."Bennett then said: "I know, I was hyper. I was saying, 'I'm going to kill him, I'm going to kill him'."The teenagers were arrested on May 16. McNamara sobbed and had to be supported by a woman police officer. Mr Green's blood was found on trainers belonging to McNamara and Garland.Det Chief Insp John Giles, who led the murder inquiry, said: "These four people would clearly target innocent members of the public to pay for drugs and alcohol."In this case Mr Green was the person to fall into their trap. The amount of violence used towards him was unimaginable. This was a callous and pre-meditated crime."During this investigation we have received help from some people who are very close to the offenders and I would like to thank them for their assistance."Mr Green's brother, Richard, 53, said: "Our family was devastated by the loss of Stephen."Memories of him, especially his smile, will be with us for ever. He loved life, enjoying trips out, the theatre, football and most of all he enjoyed our family gatherings."His mother, Thora, said: "We were very proud of him. Stephen was loved by us all and also by our friends. He was so generous and kind and gave donations to charities."He was also a blood donor and had a tie pin for 10 years reflecting his commitment to giving blood and helping others. Stephen will never be forgotten."
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