A VIOLENT thug has been jailed for four years for his part in a mugging outside Ipswich railway station.

A VIOLENT thug has been jailed for four years for his part in a mugging outside Ipswich railway station.

Kieren Lambert denied his involvement in the assault and robbery of a 20-year-old man until the morning of his trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

The unemployed 18-year-old from Landseer Road, Ipswich finally admitted his guilt in front of his victim, Sebastian Stachowski, who lost two teeth in the attack.

Mr Stachowski, a bricklayer from Ealing, had been waiting at a bus stop outside Ipswich station, having missed his last train home on October 27 when Lambert, was seen on CCTV pulling up in his car, along with two other men, behind Mr Stachowski.

He had been stopped by police two-and-a-half hours earlier for having a faulty brake light.

Prosecutor Gerard Renouf told the court the victim was approached by the men, who asked him if he knew what time the first train left the station and he took out a timetable.

Mr Renouf said: “But it was a ruse to get him off guard before hitting him in the face and on the back of the head with a metal object.”

The three men left Mr Stachowski bleeding on the pavement and made off with his rucksack containing some work clothes, toiletries and a Polish television decoder.

Mr Stachowski was able to recall enough of Lambert's number plate for police to make an arrest on November 14.

CCTV footage of the incident, showing the attackers in a car with a faulty brake light, led officers to Lambert who was charged with robbery but denied any involvement.

Roger Thompson, representing Lambert, said his client accepted his responsibility for a “completely unpleasant attack” but hoped to leave prison “older and wiser.”

At Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, Judge John Devaux jailed Lambert for 48 months.

Two other men were arrested on suspicion of robbery following the attack but no charges were brought against them.

After sentencing Mr Stachowski said: “I believe this was the right sentence. I am very satisfied with the police response.

“I wasn't the first to be attacked by that man and I hope he can learn from this experience.”

Kieren Lambert added to a list of violent crimes when he attacked and robbed Sebastian Stachowski outside Ipswich railway station.

In 2003, aged 13, he was cautioned for assault.

Last November he was charged and convicted of assault when he and four others set upon a man in the town centre.

In the same month he was arrested for burglary and drink driving and in March this year he was in front of magistrates for shoplifting.

British Transport Police detective constable, Alan Reed, said Lambert's latest crime was a “serious and premeditated attack on a lone vulnerable man.”

He added: “This was born out of gang culture and we're pleased a substantial sentence has been given in this case. The court will not tolerate random attacks on people.

“The victim suffered serious facial injuries for which he continues to receive treatment.

“Despite English not being the victim's first language we were able to get a detailed statement from him which featured the index number that led us to Kieren Lambert.

“Violent robberies and events such as these are rare and people waiting at the railway station are quite safe.”