A pair of robbers have been convicted of mugging a man and breaking his jaw in a “violent” and “unprovoked” attack.

David Strudwick, 25 and Ricky Hinton, 22 were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court for robbing the man in Croydon town centre last year.

Hinton, of Foss Avenue and Strudwick, of The Coppins, New Addington, were sentence to two years and eight months and three years respectively.

The pair followed their prey along Scarbrook Road after the reveller had been out in Croydon in May last year.

Strudwick and Hinton surrounded him, punched him in the face and stole his wallet before running off towards the Wandle Road car park.

Unfortunately for them they were spotted by plain clothes officers on patrol in an undercover police car.

As they drove past them they saw the man lying on the pavement covered in blood.

One of the officers then drove back to the Wandle Road car park and cornered Strudwick and Hinton as they attempted to escape in a car.

Inside the car they found the man's wallet shoved under a seat and when they searched the pair they found cocaine.

The defendants were sentenced on Friday after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm and theft in September. They also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine.

As a result of the attack the man's jaw was broken in two places and he required extensive surgery to repair the damage.

Detective Constable David Chambers, Croydon CID, said: "This was a completely unprovoked and violent attack upon a young man making his way home after a night out.

"Strudwick and Hinton have shown no remorse for their actions and I am delighted that they have been removed from the streets.

"This result sends a clear message that those found guilty of unprovoked violence must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions."