Teen jailed for brutal attack on passers-by

TEENAGE robber David McKay has been sent to custody for two years and four months after he beat up and robbed two men.

The 18-year-old, of Leese Street, Stoke, admitted robbing the men at a bus stop on the A34 in Newcastle in the early hours of August 5.

His co-accused Nicholas Plant, aged 25, of the same address, admitted assaulting one of the victims occasioning him actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Robert Price told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday that 25-year-old Jay Davis, Antony Myatt, Elizabeth Rendell and another man bought alcohol from Tesco at 1am before walking along the A34 towards Newcastle.

They stopped at a bus shelter and drank some of the alcohol when they were approached by three men including the two defendants. The complainants decided to leave.

"Elizabeth Rendell heard a noise from behind. When she looked round she saw Antony Myatt on the floor. A member of the defendants' group had attacked him and rendered him unconscious," said Mr Price.

"At that stage McKay was standing over him. He bent down and searched through his pockets, stealing a mobile which he pocketed.

"Mr Davis tried to intervene and help.

"McKay kicked him to the stomach and searched his pockets and robbed his wallet, keys and cigarettes.

"He went back to Mr Myatt, who was still on the ground unconscious, and kicked him several times and stamped on his face.

"Plant kicked Mr Davis several times to the body."

All three men ran away. The third man was arrested, but was never charged.

Mr Myatt received treatment at hospital for bruising to his forehead, left eye and cheek. Mr Davis suffered soreness to the left side of his face.

Both defendants were arrested later that day. Both answered no comment to all questions put to them in their police interviews.

Joanne Wallbanks, defending McKay, conceded it was an "appalling offence" committed on the spur of the moment. She said McKay was very remorseful.

Jason Holt, defending Plant, said his client was "disgusted" with what he did and asked Judge Paul Glenn to consider suspending the prison sentence.

The judge described McKay as the "ringleader" and sentenced him to 28 months' detention in a young offenders' institution.

Jailing Plant for six months, Judge Glenn said: "You quite gratuitously put the boot in. It was a cowardly act."