THREE youths have appeared in court after they committed a robbery in Trowbridge last year.

The incident happened on February 3, 2018 – two men in their 20s were walking in Broadcloth Lane when the three youths assaulted them by punching and kicking them to the head and body before stealing their bags and running off.

One of the men sustained significant bruising, a broken nose and cracked ribs and attended the Royal United Hospital in Bath following the incident.

On Wednesday, the three youths, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in court.

A 16-year-old from Trowbridge was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery.

A 17-year-old from Nottinghamshire pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and was given a four- month sentence at a youth detention centre

A 17-year-old from Trowbridge pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty of two counts of robbery and is due to be sentenced on July 16.

Acting Det Sgt Ted Roe, from Melksham CID, said: “These three youths inflicted violence on their victims in order to steal their personal belongings while they were simply minding their own business walking home.

“They caused them to suffer injuries which required medical attention and no doubt left them feeling extremely shaken up.

“We will simply not tolerate violent behaviour of this kind.

"A taskforce – Op Jura - was set up in response to concerns about youth violence in the Trowbridge area and these arrests were carried out as part of this taskforce.

"I hope that this court result sends a positive message to the public that we will continue to target and disrupt this criminality and hopefully make the town a safer place to live.”