A Northern Ireland veteran who torched a blood-sta

A Northern Ireland veteran who torched a blood-stained car and clothes for a friend after the vigilante killing of a 15-year-old thief escaped with a fine at the Old Bailey today.

(WED)

Ex-squaddie Christopher Bromage, 27, helped cover up for Richard Matthews after the angry dad battered schoolboy Steven Docherty to death with a truncheon.

Bromage had been recruited by mechanic Matthews, 40, who had unleashed a frenzied punishment beating on the petty teenage thief after catching him break into his car.

After battering him to within inches of his life Matthews scooped up the teenager and drove him to a nearby hospital before dumping him outside.

The youngster never regained consciousness.

Father-of-one Bromage was today ordered to pay a pnds stlg 2,000 fine after he admitted disposing of Matthews’ the red stained car and clothes.

Matthews, who enlisted his 19-year-old son Shaun to help with the beating, was jailed for six years last week – his son was put on probation.

Father-of-two Matthews claimed that months before the killing Steven and a pal had ‘tagged’ his car with graffiti and set it on fire.

The final straw came when a neighbour spotted the victim trying to break into Richard Matthews’ Fiat Uno.

The terrified teenager was chased through the streets by Richard and Shaun Matthews.

‘The plan was not only to find the thieves but to administer punishment,’ said Richard Horwell, prosecuting.

The youth’s pitiful screams for help were heard as Richard Matthews screamed: ‘That will teach you not to mess with my car and my family.

‘

After bludgeoning him to within inches of his life the dad and son drove him to Lewisham Hospital and told ambulance men someone had given him ‘a slapping’.

The dad then telephoned Bromage – a former Army soldier who served in Northern Ireland – and told him he had beaten the teenager and asked what he should do.

‘Bromage said there would be blood in the car and encouraged him to dispose of it,’ said Mr Horwell.

‘He then took three pounds from his partner’s purse and drove his own car to a filling station and filled a petrol can.

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Matthews followed his pal in his bloodied Fiat Uno to a secluded spot in Thamesmead.

‘They then emptied the petrol inside the car and removed the number plates before setting the vehicle alight – Matthews almost set fire to himself in the process.

‘Bromage had asked his pal to bring a change of clothes which he changed into.

He then put the stained clothes into a bin liner and through them down a rubbish chute.

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Three days later Bromage made a ‘full and frank’ admission of what he did that night.

And Bromage, of Rowley House, Watergate Street, Deptford, pleaded guilty ‘to doing an act with intent to impede the prosecution of another’.

Representing the man, Dominic Bell said: ‘This is a man driven by loyalty to his friends and family.

‘Had he been with Matthews when they found young Steven, the poor boy may have been alive today.

‘It is likely he would done what he could to prevent this horrendous assault on that young lad.

This is a tragic, tragic case.

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Sentencing him Judge Hubert Dunn, QC, said: ‘I take into account that you didn’t know the boy was dead or how seriously injured he was.

‘There is no doubt you are less accountable than Matthews’ son who received probation last week.

‘There is no doubt at all you were brought into this tragic story by Matthews and I don’t think it would be right to send you to prison.

‘

Bromage was fined pnds stlg 2,000.

Earlier this month Richard Matthews, of Camplin Street, New Cross Gate, southeast London, was cleared by a jury of murder but was convicted of manslaughter.

His son Shaun, and a 16-year-old boy were both given two year community rehabilitation orders – effectively probation – after admitting affray.

Richard Matthews had told police: ‘I just lost control and I was raging.

I intended just to bruise him.

Just as a marking so he understood.

‘

The attack happened on August 28 last year when Mr Docherty and a pal used a screwdriver to force their way into the Uno, parked outside the Matthews home in New Cross, southeast London.

‘Steven was caught by Matthews who repeatedly beat him with a wooden truncheon.

‘Steven was heard by witnesses pleading for his life in cries of help,’ added Mr Horwell.

Last week Judge Dunn had blamed falling numbers of bobbies on the beat for the shocking crime.

ends