Three teenage gang members have been jailed for stabbing a 15-year-old boy in his liver, in an “unprovoked attack” in a packed shopping mall.

The boys, aged 15, 15 and 17, who cannot be named for legal reasons, launched the attack on Saturday January 10 at 5pm, as the victim arrived at Kingsland Shopping Centre in Kingsland High Street to meet his dad.

As he approached the centre of the mall, he was knocked off his bike, stabbed once in the chest by the 17-year-old and punched several times, as the other two shouted “kill him”.

The thugs - who all come from Dalston - then fled, stealing his bike.

The victim collapsed at the scene and was treated for a stab wound to his liver at the Royal London Hospital.

DC Marcus Snook, of the Trident Gangs Command, said: “The victim by his own admission had previously been involved in gangs and the defendants, from an opposing group, took their chance to launch a totally unprovoked attack in the middle of the shopping centre on a busy Saturday afternoon.

“He was stabbed with considerable force by the 17-year-old, with his co-defendants shouting words of encouragement such as ‘kill him’.

“The victim has made a full recovery but it is only luck that the injuries he suffered did not prove to be fatal.

“This incident was fuelled by gang rivalry on the part of the defendants, who set out with the mindset to attack anyone from the rival gang.

“The case once again shows that young boys feel the need to carry out violent attacks on rival gang members to show allegiance and obtain status within their own group. Gang-related violence is unacceptable and I am pleased that the three boys have been brought before the courts and we have seen them handed substantial jail terms.”

The three boys were charged with attempted murder, with a plea to grievous bodily harm later accepted by the prosecution.

They were each jailed for five years and eight months at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday December 1.