A TEENAGER has admitted two robberies, including one in which a mobile phone and wallet were stolen.

Dennis Gunesli pleaded guilty to robbery involving a mobile phone, wallet and contents when he appeared before Judge James Burbidge QC at Worcester Crown Court on Monday.

The robbery took place in Worcester city centre on March 1, 2020 when the defendant, now 18, was still a youth.

Gunesli of Turnpike Drive, Evesham also stands convicted of a second robbery, the court heard. The case will include victim personal statements, supplied by the Crown.

Judge Burbidge, deferring sentence, said: "I have been persuaded by the material I have read to see whether Mr Gunesli can continue avoiding crime."

He said the defendant 'appeared to be subject to numerous threats and intimidation' at the time of the offending and was only 16 or 17 at the time of the offences.

Will Dudley, defending, said his client had previously taken cannabis but there was no suggestion of him using alcohol or class A drugs.

Adjourning the case, Judge Burbidge told Gunesli he had had the good sense to admit his responsibility.

He said: "That means you have committed two burglaries. If you had been an adult defendant at the time you committed these crimes you would quickly be going downstairs for a lengthy period of time."

However, he also said he had seen a report from the probation officer - Ignatius Concannon - which revealed the background to the robberies.

"You were being exploited. I have worked on the basis that is a reality - that conclusion was reached by the single competent authority regarding the pressures you were under" he said.

He added: "I'm not entirely satisfied you can stay out of trouble although it has been a year or so since your last offence."

The sentence was adjourned for six months until July 11 this year. Judge Burbidge told him: "You must seek to keep work and stay in work."

He also urged him Gunesli to keep money aside which might be used as compensation for any victims. "If you stay out of trouble, you won't go to custody in July," he told him.

A probation report will be prepared about him towards the end of June to assist the sentencing judge.