TWO 17-year-olds have been jailed for robbing teenagers of their mobile phones.

Lloyd Withington, of Cauldon Avenue, Newcastle, and Dwayne Rowe, of North Street, Newcastle, were in a group which approached a 16-year-old lad and his female friend in Lancaster Road, Newcastle, at 1.30pm on September 15.

Prosecutor Neil Ahuja told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday the group took hold of his bag and one poured vodka in his eye.

"One of them, the Crown say Lloyd Withington, grabbed the lad by the throat and demanded his phone," said Mr Ahuja.

"When he refused he was punched by the same offender in the head. Another man, the Crown say Rowe, punched the victim to his head.

"Withington took a mobile phone from the victim before the group walked off."

The court heard that at 3pm two other lads were waiting for a bus, close to Newcastle College in Queen Street.

Mr Ahuja said: "Rowe asked one of the boys if he could borrow his phone to call a taxi. The lad said he had no minutes on his phone. He then received a call. Withington grabbed the phone and attempted to snatch it, but the victim held on and a struggle ensued.

"One of the victims said Rowe went towards his friend with a clenched fist.

"Withington had a Stanley knife blade in his hand and pointed it at the victim.

"He said 'I will slit your throat if you do not give me your phone'.

"The lad, through fear, handed over his phone.

"Withington approached the other lad and said 'You better give me your phone'. The lad handed it over."

Both defendants were arrested at 3.40pm in Marina Drive, after CCTV footage showed they were wearing the same clothes the victims described.

Withington pleaded guilty to three charges of robbery and one of possessing a knife. Rowe admitted two robbery charges.

Jason Holt, for Withington, said the teenager finds it very difficult to socialise.

He said Withington is genuinely remorseful and asked Judge Granville Styler to keep the sentence as short as possible.

Joanne Wallbanks, representing Rowe, said he was not the "main player". She said Rowe was drunk at the time, is easily led and gives into peer pressure. She added that he is sorry for what he did.

Judge Styler sentenced Withington to 24 months' detention and training order and gave Rowe 18 months' detention and training as he did not have a knife, was 16 at the time and has fewer previous convictions.

"Both of you, now sober, seem to regret what you did," said the judge.

"But this was a dreadful collection of events. You were mob-handed, drunk, violent, you behaved like bullies, and to make matters worse, Withington had a knife.

" A custodial sentence is inevitable."