Two teenagers who mugged a pair of youngsters on the river bank in Worcester have been sent to detention.

The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, first tried to grab a girl's mobile phone and then attacked her boyfriend when he intervened.

Outlining the facts at Worcester Crown Court, Judge David McEvoy QC said the boyfriend was grabbed round the throat as if he was going to be throttled and then repeatedly kicked as he lay on the ground.

The attackers made off with the phone.

In another robbery, a 13-year-old paper boy had his bike stolen.

A 15-year-old was robbed in the street of his mobile phone and two youngsters had their bikes stolen.

The 17-year-old, who had previous convictions for violence, was sent to detention for three years.

His accomplice, aged 16, received two-and-a-half years.

Both had pleaded guilty at juvenile court to offences which included robbery, theft, assault and handling stolen property.