A teenager who took part in a street robbery at night when a pub customer had his wallet stolen has been sentenced to four years' detention.

Grenville Kember and another man attacked Richard Taylor just yards from his home in Southfield Street, Worcester, said prosecutor Pardeep Tiwana.

Mr Taylor, who had drunk eight pints of beer, was knocked to the ground around 2am and kicked in the head as he shouted for help.

Kember searched his pockets and stole his wallet before the robbers hailed a taxi.

But they were spotted getting into the cab by a pub landlord. Police stopped the taxi and arrested them.

Kember, aged 18, of Stonebow Road, Drakes Broughton, near Pershore, pleaded guilty to robbery. His accomplice was acquitted by a jury despite admissions to police, Mr Tiwana told Worcester Crown Court.

Judge David McEvoy QC said the victim was attacked from behind at night and could have been seriously injured by head kicks.

He rejected a suggestion by defence counsel Francis Laird for a rehabilitation pilot scheme being introduced into the county before being tried nationwide.

Mr Tiwana said the victim had been on a night out with friends on November 15 last year.

Police found his debit card on Kember and the stolen wallet was found in the taxi.

Mr Taylor had cuts and bruises to his face, ear, lip and ribs. He needed hospital treatment.

Mr Laird claimed there had been a row between the victim and other robber in a bar earlier in the evening. The judge rejected the explanation.

Kember had also offered to give evidence at the other man's trial but was not called as a witness, said Mr Laird.

He said Kember was naive and got into the wrong company while his parents were living away from the Worcester area. He began binge drinking.

His shocked parents had taken steps to help him by taking him to counselling. Kember was now living with a girlfriend, a mother-of-two care assistant.