Three teenage boys took part in a “vicious and violent” gang attack on a group of migrant foster children on a train station platform, a court has heard.

Ryan Brodrick, James Odero and Declan Stewart were among a 28-strong mob who targeted the vulnerable Afghan boys in Margate.

CCTV captured the fracas in which weapons, including a metal pole, were brandished and the victims were kicked and stamped on.

Canterbury Crown Court heard the group of six Afghans, who had spent the day visiting the town, were also spat at and branded terrorists by their attackers.

Two boys, one believed to be 16, needed hospital treatment for his injuries, including cuts to his head.

The three defendants were eventually identified from the footage and later admitted violent disorder and assault causing actual bodily harm.

But despite a judge branding their behaviour as “quite disgraceful and terrifying”, they were all spared immediate custody.

The court heard they had travelled as part of a large group from Ramsgate to Margate by train, arriving at about 5.30pm on December 29, 2020.

At the time, Kent was subject to a two-week strict lockdown due to Covid.

Prosecutor Jacinta Stringer said the group was in the ticket hall when they first encountered the Afghan boys making their way into the station and heading home from their day out.

“The victim describes there was swearing, spitting and the use of the word ‘terrorist’ towards his group,” she told the court.

“They had bicycles with them and the defendants’ group kicked at the bikes.

“It is clear they were being asked to come outside the station and fight. They did not wish to do so, so continued to make their way to platform one.”

However, they were followed and surrounded, and then the violent disorder erupted, with the larger group initiating the attack, added Ms Stringer.

“There was what can only be described as a vicious and violent melee with the brandishing of weapons, the lifting of a bicycle over their head and onto the victim’s group, and brandishing of a metal pole,” she told the court.

Stewart, of St Christopher Close, Margate, was just 15 at the time. He was seen on CCTV striking out with a stick or pole at a person laying on the ground, and then “swinging” his foot.

Odero, of Margate Road, Ramsgate, was 16 at the time and had been drinking and using drugs.

Ms Stringer told the court he picked a bike up above his head and threw it during the violence.

He was also seen to kick and stamp on the victim, she added.

Brodrick, 17 at the time and of Palmer Crescent, Margate, wielded an object and also stamped on the boy.

A 2ft metal pole and a rolled up bike lock were later found by police outside the station.

“These defendants were seen to take an active part in the attack, particularly against one who was on the floor,” Ms Stringer told the court.

“This was targeting by a much larger group of a small group of Afghan youths.

“It resulted in widespread, serious acts of violence using weapons, kicking and stamping of a victim while on the ground.

“It was persistent activity and resulted in serious physical injury. Both young men were taken to hospital and one needed stitches to his head injury.

“It took place in public, on a station platform, where others were present.

“The victims were vulnerable foster children who had come to the UK from Afghanistan, and there was evidence this case involves a motivation of hostilitity in that they called the victim’s group ‘terrorist’.”

Adrian Rohard, defending Odero, now 19, said he was “ashamed of his disgusting behaviour.”

“He was acting, as he describes it, in a ‘stupid, unprovoked and impulsive’ way,” added Mr Rohard.

But he said the incident was “short-lived” and Odero, who has previous convictions for affray, battery and criminal damage, was not the “leader”.

Rory Gordon, defending Stewart, now 18 and with a previous conviction for affray, said he was “regretful, embarrassed and a very different person”.

Mr Gordon added the roofer “impulsively picked up a discarded pole as the melee moved into full swing”.

“There was absolutely no excuse for this conduct which must have been terrifying for all concerned...”

Kerry Waitt, defending 19-year-old Brodrick, compared the “mob rampage” to that of the “mods and rockers” in the 1950s and 60s but said it was “spontaneous” and unplanned.

He said Brodrick’s involvement was evidence of “his immaturity and herd instinct taking over”.

The court heard he has since been convicted of an unrelated assault for which he was given a two-year community order.

Passing sentence, Recorder Michael Turner told the defendants they had “clearly gone to Margate looking for trouble and wanting a fight”,

“There was absolutely no excuse for this conduct which must have been terrifying for all concerned,” he said.

But the judge added that although they were now adults, he was “obligated” to consider their ages at the time of the “yobbish behaviour”.

Stating there was also a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, Recorder Turner therefore imposed 19-month detention suspended for two years on each, with 150 hours of unpaid work.

Odero and Brodrick were also ordered to complete 50 rehabilitation activity sessions, while Stewart was given 20 sessions.

Brodrick’s community order was revoked and substituted with a consecutive five-month term of detention, suspended for two years.