A gang of hooded muggers who attacked a rail commuter and stole his rucksack and phone had left their victim with deep psychological damage, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Oliver Hemingway and three accomplices pounced on the middle-aged man from behind as he left Shipley Railway Station in the dark and rained “a flurry of punches” on him.

The commuter suffered a black eye and a cut lip and was left with lasting mental trauma. He has not caught a train since, prosecutor Louise Azmi said yesterday.

Hemingway, 19, of Meagill Rise, Otley, pleaded guilty to robbery at 8.30pm on December 5 last year.

He was sentenced to 16 months in a young offender institution.

Mrs Azmi told the court the man was pursued by the hooded gang, who were caught on CCTV jogging after him, as he walked from the station to the town centre.

The victim, who was not named in court, heard footsteps and was assaulted from behind.

His rucksack was snatched and one of the robbers demanded that he hand over his phone.

He lost his job because he was unable to attend work the next day.

He had a history of depression and the mugging had “a really lasting effect on his mental well-being,” Mrs Azmi said.

He no longer caught the train and had to pay extra to use taxis instead.

He was afraid to walk around in the dark, having tried once and been left feeling sick with fear.

Hemingway had previous convictions for criminal damage, shoplifting, aggravated vehicle taking and theft from a house.

One of his accomplices, aged 16, was sentenced to a nine month rehabilitation order by Bradford Youth Court earlier this year.

Hemingway’s solicitor advocate, Anne-Marie Hutton, said he did not join in the physical attack on the victim.

He had been in custody since February on other matters.

At the time, he was taking drugs and had left the family home.

He was now a changed man and anxious to lead a law-abiding life.

The judge, Recorder Jonathan Sandiford, told Hemingway: “You were hanging around Shipley Railway Station looking for someone to mug.”