Teen robbery gang in 24-hour spree

FIVE teenagers are behind bars after carrying out a series of street robberies.

The youths were part of a gang of seven, all living at the YMCA hostel in Harding Road, Hanley, when they plotted the four attacks within a 24-hour period.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard yesterday that the defendants acted as a gang and some of the crimes had been an initiation test for younger members of the group.

Lee Simmonds and Peter Lea, both aged 19, and 18-year-olds Patrick Quinn and Daryl Roden appeared in court yesterday to be sentenced, alongside 17-year-olds David Nelson and Michael Stevenson, and Brendan Shea, aged 16.

All seven admitted playing a part in two robberies and two attempted robberies.

The gang's crime spree began in the early hours of January 20, when Nelson, Quinn, Roden and Shea attacked a man in Ashford Street, Shelton, as he walked home from a night out.

Timothy Harrington, prosecuting, said: "Without warning, he was punched in the face by one of the group and was surrounded by the others. Roden was carrying a pool cue."

The victim handed over £40 from his wallet.

Shortly afterwards, a group including Quinn, Simmonds and Shea targeted William Chan as he walked through Shelton. He was chased as he tried to flee and punched in the face, but managed to get away.

On January 20 at about 10pm, Simmonds, Shea, Stevenson, Lea and Nelson robbed student David Grice as he walked home from playing badminton past Hanley Park.

Mr Harrington said: "Without warning, he was struck hard to the face by two men, who then rained a frenzy of blows upon him."

The gang took £15 from Mr Grice's badminton bag and the victim was left with a black eye and a cut that required stitches.

The final attack was on a man walking along Tontine Street, Hanley.

A group including Lea, Simmonds, Stevenson and Shea demanded money from the victim, who managed to escape.

Mr Harrington said: "This was a joint enterprise. Each person's individual role matters not – it was the group acting as a whole."

Barristers for Simmonds, Nelson and Roden described how the three had used their time on remand constructively, undertaking various courses.

The court heard Shea and Stevenson had taken part in the crimes as an initiation into the gang.

Anis Ali, representing Shea, said his client had not inflicted injury on any of the victims.

The court was told Stevenson had also completed a number of courses while in custody.

Sophie Lomas, representing Lea, said her client gained 10 GCSEs at grade A and B and looked to have a promising future, but problems at home forced him to move out.

After staying with friends, he moved into the YMCA, where he got involved with the other defendants.

Paul Cliff, representing Quinn, said his client's life had recently become more stable, so he was less likely to re-offend.

Mr Cliff said: "He has been working as a canvasser, moved into a private flat and become engaged to his partner."

Judge Granville Styler sentenced Simmonds, Nelson, Quinn and Lea to 32 months in a young offenders' institution, while Roden was sentenced to 30 months' detention.

All will have the time they have spent on remand deducted from their sentence.

Shea and Stevenson were each handed a two-year detention and training order.

Judge Styler said: "You all played a part in what you knew to be a joint enterprise of robbery. You acted as a gang, chose vulnerable victims, acted mob-handed and carried and used weapons, or knew that others did."