Teenager jailed for belt attack (From This Is Wiltshire)

A TEENAGER who tried to rob a man in the town centre in the early hours of the morning has been jailed by a judge.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, drew blood when he struck the victim between the eyes with a belt after cornering him.

And the attack took place a couple of weeks after he committed another robbery in the town centre, Swindon Crown Court was told.

Chris Smyth, prosecuting, said the victim had been working in town on the night of January 7, and in the early hours was meeting friends.

At about 3am he said he was walking towards Bushwackers when he saw two men coming towards him.

The burly teenager spotted he was using his mobile phone and backed him up against a wall with the smaller co-defendant standing at the victim’s side.

Mr Smyth said the teenager asked him if he could borrow the handset, which the victim refused saying he had no credit.

“He asked why he was using it if he didn’t have any credit and called him a dick, repeating it several times,” he said.

“Then he pulled out a belt he had wrapped round his hand. He whipped it and caught the victim between the eyes. It caused and injury, not bad but it bled.”

Mr Smyth said the victim managed to get away from the pair and ran to Bushwackers, where bouncers came to his aid.

They saw the attackers fleeing the scene and the police were called who later found the man’s DNA on the buckle of the teenager’s belt.

The boy, of Penhill , and 23-year-old Michael Gavin, now of Birmingham, both admitted attempted robbery.

The court was told that he carried out a robbery on Market Street in early December and was put on a four month detention and training order at the youth court in July.

Rob Ross , for the teenager, said his client was still just 16.

“Like many young men of that age he started to smoke skunk cannabis and drink,” he said.

Mr Ross said that his client had accommodation issues which meant he accepted he had to face a custodial sentence but was looking forward to doing his GCSEs while inside.

Imposing a 10 month detention and training order, Judge Douglas Field said: “Your stay in Ashfield Young Offenders’ Institute has brought you to your senses and you want to make a turn for the good.”

Gavin will be sentenced on October 19.