A TEENAGER who took part in two street robberies 15 minutes apart wept in the dock of Worcester Crown Court as he was given 12 months' detention.

Michael Cooper and an unknown accomplice targeted 15-year-old youths in Bromsgrove for their mobile phones.

They were stopped and asked the time before being threatened with being stabbed if they did not hand over their phones, said Jeremy Wright, prosecuting.

Cooper, aged 18, of South Road, Bromsgrove, admitted two counts of robbery.

The first victim was walking along Church Street on Thursday, April 24 when he was approached.

The robbers vanished with his property but 15 minutes later went up to another youth on a footpath and made off with another phone.

Arrested on Thursday, May 8, Cooper claimed he was put under pressure by his accomplice, whom he described as "dodgy".

Cooper went through a difficult period when his parents separated in 1998, said James McCracken, defending.

He could not believe these offences had occurred and was terrified of custody.