THREE men who kicked and punched a 16-year-old boy in the head – knocking out his teeth – could face jail.
The mob accused the youngster of messing around with one of their girlfriends, who was with him and his friends at the time.
The victim was punched in the face then jumped on and held down while "forceful" blows were delivered to his head with fee
t and fists.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "I was on my hands and knees. One of them was sitting next to me with my head in his arms. I started getting kicked in the head, on the side of my face, the top of my head and in my mouth."
The youngster, who had two snapped lower teeth, bruising and swelling to his face and under his hair, was examined in hospital for head injuries.
Kevin Chaytor, 27, and 19-year-old twins, Jason and John Jobson, denied the joint charge of actual bodily harm.
The men claimed they had acted in self- defence and the injuries were the result of three separate fights. But the trio, all of Bruce Kirkup Road, Horden, were found guilty of the joint charge at Peterlee Magistrates' Court.
The court heard the victim was with his girlfriend, her friend and two of his male friends in Davies Walk, Horden, at 10pm, on March 7 when he was attacked.
One of the girls was drunk and the group were walking her home when she was spotted by one of the twins.
Sheila Moore, prosecuting, said: "The next thing he knew a group of four lads came around the corner shouting 'who has been holding her hand?'. The largest member of the group, Chaytor, said something to him and without any provocation punched him in the left side of the face."
John Jobson denied holding the victim in a headlock while the others kicked him and claimed to be standing further away with his girlfriend.
Chaytor admitted the initial unprovoked punch and said he regretted it, but claimed he played no further part in the attack.
When the victim broke free and fled, he told the court he was chased by John Jobson and brought to the floor in a second attack.
During cross-examination both twins admitted they had lied to the police.
Dave Smith, mitigating, said the group had reacted to perceived provocation.
The defendants, who were told they could face custody, were given unconditional bail and will be sentenced at Peterlee magistrates on September 23.
