The story from the Evening Standard website is as follows:
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However all three defendants narrowly avoided prison after they were able to show they could pay compensation to their victims.
Sentencing, Judge Sarah Paneth said: “These were two serious assaults on public transport without provocation or justification.
“I’ve been told and reject the notion that your actions (Samuels) were due to what you believed to be others’ perception of yourself as a young black male – you cannot be defended on circumstances that are habitual.
“What you all did was conform to the stereotype you so despise and brought shame to the black community and to your families.
“You all come from stable and supportive families but you do not deserve medals for travelling on public transport since the offence with no problems –millions of people do that every day.
“It was a group attack on a lone person and you are all responsible – look at it this way, I am sure the three of you would not have chosen to attack a young man with a group of friends – Mr Maisey was an easy target.
“I accept this was out of character as there is no evidence of this behaviour before or after these incidents.”
Judge Paneth then handed Samuels a suspended sentence of two years and ordered him to complete 200 hours unpaid work and pay his two victims £500 each.
Mubenga received a one year suspended sentence and Karumwi 15 months, which was also suspended. They were ordered to do 100 hours unpaid work and pay Mr Maisey £500 each.
Judge Paneth added: “I make it clear the only reason you are all not going into custody today is that these incidents are extremely out of character and isolated.”
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It would appear that the judge didn't take the (extremely lame) excuse into consideration when sentencing.
I suspect the reason they weren't jailed was a combination of first time offence, coupled with no weapons being used...but still...