THE family of a teenage boy who was seriously injured during an assault as part of a robbery in Harlow earlier this year have thanked the detectives who secured jail terms for three men.

In particular, they expressed their thanks to Detective Constable Jon Nottage who they say “did the upmost to get justice” for their family and that “his kindness and professionalism was amazing” throughout the investigation.

The three men appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday 9 September where together, they were jailed for more than 10 years after they had previously admitted their part in a robbery which left a teenage boy with life-changing injuries or various offences including stolen cars, burglary and handling stolen goods.

At the court appearance, brothers Lee Farrugia, 30, and Charlie Farrugia, 24, both of Spruce Hill, Harlow, were jailed.

Lee Farrugia was handed down a term of 4 years and 10 months imprisonment (plus extended licence period of 2 years) after he pleaded guilty to GBH of the teenage boy, while Charlie Farrugia was jailed for a total of 3 years and 3 months after he admitted carrying out the robbery.

The older brother was sentenced to an additional 19 months in prison (consecutive) for handling a stolen car used in the robbery and dangerous driving which also saw him disqualified for almost 5 years. 

A third man, Jason Millard, 37, of Oakdale Road, Forest Gate, London, was sentenced to a total of 10 months in jail after he admitted burglary and handling stolen goods (e-bike).

On Sunday 2 February a member of the public notified emergency services that they had come across a seriously injured teenage boy in the residents’ car park of Guildfords, Harlow, shortly after 9am.

The 17-year-old had been subjected to a serious assault and had sustained a fractured skull and was taken to hospital.

At the time of the attack, the victim had been heading home on his e-bike. He recalled being followed by a car that was flashing its headlights and swerving across the road, before being forced off his e-bike in the car park and assaulted by three people.

His e-bike was placed in the car which had been stolen from Harlow and was on cloned number plates. All parties then left, leaving the seriously injured boy alone. 

An investigation was immediately launched by Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate with extensive enquiries being carried out over the following weeks which secured various charges against the trio.

Lee Farrugia was arrested in Harlow on the afternoon of Monday 10 February, having attempted to drive off dangerously from police in the same cloned Mazda vehicle. A search of his address located a missing e-bike stolen from a separate burglary.

During a search of Jason Millard’s address on 28 February, officers recovered the victim’s e-bike. 

As a result of further investigative work, Jason Millard was arrested on 10 March and Charlie Farrugia was arrested just 24 hours later.

All three were remanded into custody and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in March.

The investigation also linked Lee Farrugia to stolen car offences.

Following sentencing, the victim’s family had this to say: “No sentence would be good enough to express the pain and suffering these evil people have caused our family. These people tried to destroy his life. 

“A big thank you to DC Nottage who did the upmost to get justice for my family. 

“His kindness and professionalism was amazing.”

Detective Inspector Stewart Eastbrook, who led the investigation, added:

“This brutal and cowardly assault has left a teenager with injuries that will require on-going treatment for years to come.

“I want to thank him and his family for their assistance and cooperation throughout the investigation, it couldn’t have been easy for them. 

“I also want to thank my team – their professional approach and dedication to the case ensured justice was done, while also providing vital support to the injured boy and his family throughout this difficult time.

“Their commitment was exemplary.”