Four men from the Croydon area have been sentenced for a horrifying and unprovoked attack on two teenage boys in neighbouring Whyteleafe, an assault police described as so violent it could have ended in fatalities.
Sentences Handed Down for Sustained Violence
The group, armed with weapons including a one-metre-long samurai sword, targeted the two 16-year-olds on Godstone Road in the early hours of March 9, 2024. The attack culminated in one victim being deliberately hit by a car, dragged along the road, and run over a second time.
At Guildford Crown Court, the perpetrators received the following sentences for their roles:
- Fabion Parnell, 26, of Goodenough Way, Coulsdon: Jailed for eight years and three months after pleading guilty to attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH), dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.
- Harvey Manley, 22, of Rowdown Crescent, New Addington: Received a sentence of three years and nine months for robbery. He was released from court due to time already served on remand since his arrest in March 2024.
- Adrian Rozpara, 21, from Croydon: Given a two-year suspended sentence and community order after admitting threatening a person with an offensive weapon and affray.
- Machas Tuzizila, 29, of Dunley Drive, New Addington: Was sentenced earlier, on September 27, 2024, to 10 months in prison for possession of an offensive weapon and handling stolen goods.
Chilling Details of the Whyteleafe Attack
The court heard how the violence unfolded near the Whyteleafe Tavern pub. The gang approached the two boys, with Rozpara brandishing the samurai sword and shouting 'where are you from?' while Tuzizila also held a weapon.
When one victim tried to escape on his moped, Fabion Parnell intentionally drove a car into him. Parnell then used the vehicle to drag the teenager down the road before running him over again and fleeing.
Harvey Manley then subjected the injured victim to a further brutal assault, kicking and repeatedly punching him in the face and body before throwing him to the ground, knocking him unconscious. Manley stole the victim's coat before leaving the scene.
Complex Police Investigation Secures Convictions
A major manhunt involving multiple units from both Surrey Police and the Metropolitan Police was launched. Manley was arrested within 48 hours, while Parnell and Tuzizila were tracked down and arrested in April 2024. Rozpara was identified and arrested in Croydon shortly after.
DC Blackford from the Criminal Investigations Department stated: "This unprovoked, violent and sustained attack against two 16-year-old boys could have had fatal consequences. Our investigation has been complex and involved several units and colleagues from across two forces. Thanks to these collective efforts, all four men have been put before the courts to face justice."
The case highlights the severe consequences of gang-related violence and the collaborative work of police forces to bring perpetrators to justice for serious offences in the London and Surrey region.
