A TEENAGE gang who attacked a man because he wouldn't give them a cigarette have been sent to detention centres.

Four members of the group dubbed the Pantry Shop Gang, all aged between 14 and 17, were locked up for attacking 44-year-old Eric Hawkins in November last year.

At least one of the youths will be subject to anti-social behaviour orders on his release.

Magistrates lifted an order which allows the Argus to name one of the defendants, Alex Crowley, aged 15, of Marl Court, Thornhill.

Yesterday he was sent to a detention centre for four months. He will also be subject to an anti-social behaviour order, banning him from associating with any of his co-defendants or other gang members on his release.

A 17-year-old was given a six-month sentence for violent disorder, and two boys, aged 14 and 15 respectively, were detained for four months each.

The court heard that Mr Hawkins, a father of seven, had visited a store called the Pantry Shop in Greenmeadow with his stepdaughter Jody Dunning on November 14, when he met a gang of about 20 youths outside.

One of the youths asked for a cigarette, and when the complainant refused, one of the gang threw a stone at him.

Later, on his way home, Mr Hawkins saw the gang again and they threw more stones. Three of them boasted that they had knives on them, and one member of the gang smashed a house brick into his face.

He ran home but the gang followed and threw a brick through his front door, narrowly missing his 18-month-old granddaughter, Kimberly.

Magistrate Barbara Jones said: "The case before us today was horrendous and terrifying for the two witnesses involved.

"The offences committed were so serious only custody can be justified." Cwmbran PC Darrell Dewar said: "We are pleased to see justice done."