By Globe Correspondent

JUDGE has declared war on thugs who attack people in the street.

Sentencing 18-year-old Michael Kelly, who already has convictions for violence, Judge Denis Clark told him: "We are not prepared to surrender our roads to thugs like you and the gangs that go around with you.

"It may be a long war, but the courts will win the war by winning each battle and we will not give up in the battle against thugs like you."

He said that Kelly, of Sullivan Avenue, Upton, who had pleaded guilty to two separate attacks and escape, gave his first victim a 'thorough and savage kicking.'

Kelly began two years' detention on Friday after Judge Clark pointed out that his record showed a dangerous escalation and he was not prepared to tolerate such behaviour.

Anthony Rose, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that on May 12, last year, the first victim, John Wilde, was walking along Mead Way, Upton, with his girlfriend when he saw a group including Kelly.

Rightly believing that they intended to steal from a car, he coughed to let them know he had seen them. But Kelly and another of the group attacked him as his girlfriend looked on in horror.

Mr Wilde was knocked to the ground and kicked, causing him to lose consciousness and he woke up in hospital suffering from amnesia. He had also suffered bruising and abrasions to his face and grazing to his knees.

While on bail for that offence, Kelly attacked another man in Sainsbury's car park at Upton, on November 29, where he was again with a gang of youths. When he was later arrested, he tried to resist and ran off but was re-captured.

Kelly arrived at court for the sentencing hearing, with a group of eight unruly youths who had to be rebuked by Judge Clark for their behaviour in the public gallery, some of whom swore at him.