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JAILED: Teenage thugs attacked RAF Cosford workers with knife and baseball bats

Two baby-faced thugs that were part of a gang that attacked and robbed two apprentices using a knife and three baseball bats are facing time in custody.

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A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were part of the group that set upon two RAF Cosford workers in West Smethwick Park on October 26.

They were killing time in the park waiting for a train when they were set upon by the gang. One, wearing a scarf, ordered the pair to hand over everything they had. When they refused, the group laid into them.

One was hit in the head with what he described as a baseball bat with 10 nails through it. They both suffered bruising and cuts to the head and body.

Prosecutor Simon Hanns told Wolverhampton Crown Court: "Both defendants pleaded guilty at a hearing on November 30. The 15-year-old has previous convictions relevant to this. The 17-year-old also has several previous convictions.

"The defendants arrived in a group of around five to seven. One of the group engaged in conversation with the two men. He took a kitchen knife out of his pocket and said to them 'give us everything you have'. The knife was about 30cm in length.

"Three of the group also had baseball bats, and one of the victims describes one of the bats as having up to 10 nails through it. That cannot be proven. He was hit in the ear with the bat.

"He was then pushed to the floor and the group landed kicks to his stomach and blows to his head.

"The other man was hit in the head and had the knife held to his throat. He tried to put his hand in the way to stop it touching his neck and sustained a cut to his hand.

"He was then hit about the head and body and suffered a slash mark to the side of the head, which had to be glued.

"An Apple iPhone 6 was taken by the group. One of the victims said he was so frightened that he thought he would be killed."

He added that the 15-year-old has two previous convictions for robbery and one for possession of an imitation firearm. The older boy has convictions for battery and common assault on his rap sheet.

The defendants, both from West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to robbery.

The 15-year-old's defence barrister Jas Mann said: "It seems to me that although this was a nasty incident, it was short-lived. It was more opportunistic than pre-planned.

Mr Philip Brunt, defending the 17-year-old added: "The exact part they played cannot be proven, although by being there they contributed to this nasty robbery."

Both were sentenced to detention training orders, the 15-year-old for 18 months and the 17-year-old for 24 months.

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