Teen in violent gang attack while on bail for firearms offences has sentence extended

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was in a group of up to 15 boys that set upon two other youths in Stafford Street, Wolverhampton, on September 26, last year.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told that at the time of the incident the youth was on bail for brandishing an imitation gun during a brawl outside the city's Britannia Hotel in April 2014.

Last month at the same court he was handed an 18-month detention and training order following a trial after he had denied possessing an imitation firearm.

Mr Roger Brown, prosecuting, said the youth was on bail for that offence when he and a large group of other boys approached two youths who were waiting at a bus stop in Stafford Street.

Members of the large group began to stare at the two youths and invited them to 'go around the corner' with them, continued Mr Brown.

They began to walk off towards the dual carriageway but were chased by at least four members of the group, he added.

"One youth caught up with the first victim and punched him," the prosecutor said. "When he punched back he was set upon."

The court was told that a number of youths - including the defendant - then surrounded the second victim and kicked and punched him to the ground.

The group ran off when police appeared on the scene. As a result of the attack one of the youths required hospital treatment for head and wrist injuries.

He received seven stitches to a gash on his head, two stitches to his lip and three stitches to his wrist, Mr Brown said.

The defendant was arrested the following day and spoke only to say that he doesn't talk to the police 'on principal'.

Mr Christopher O'Gorman, defending, said his client had brought about a turnaround in his life since he was arrested for his latest offence.

"His progress outside of the Young Offenders Institution has continued inside," he said. "There has been no slipping back into his bad ways.

"One hopes and expects that he is able to continue the work that he has done."

The youth admitted affray. His 18-month detention and training order was extended by six months for a total sentence of two years.

Judge Amjad Nawaz told the youth: "In my judgement you are deserving of a longer sentence, but this is the longest sentence I am able to pass."