THE trial heard the teenagers had been downing cider at a friend’s Westbourne flat. They went looking for Mr Millward when they ran out of tobacco.

When he turned down their request for cigarettes the gang launched into a vicious assault.

Crago and Real later came back with a shopping trolley to continue the attack.

The Big Issue seller was left for dead, with fractured ribs and ruptured organs, and his bloodied body was discovered by street workers hours later.

Sentencing the trio, Judge Guy Boney QC said: “The violence was mindless, vicious, extreme and chillingly casual.

“You carried out this attack for no better reason than you were bored and looking for excitement.”

• The teenagers were members of the Rossmore street gang, Bourne Estate Boiz.

Their main ‘rivals’ are the West Howe Warriors, from the neighbouring estate.

A motto from the Bourne Estate Boiz webpage reads: “Over the hills and far away Bourne Estate Boys come out to play.

“Snooker cue or Stanley knife, West Howe Boiz better run for your life.”