Two teenagers in a gang which targeted two 14-year-olds as they walked home have been locked up by a judge.

A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was made the subject of an 18-month detention and training order after he was convicted of hitting one of the friends with a stick. The 16-year-old and a 15-year-old co-accused both denied two charges of robbery, but they were found guilty after a trial at Bradford Crown Court last month.

Because he was only 14 at the time of the robbery in February last year the co-accused could not be locked up for his part and Judge Rodney Grant yesterday made him the subject of a 24-hour attendance centre order.

A third youth admitted robbery last year and he was given a detention and training order for ten months.

Prosecutor Martin Haigh said the two friends were hit with sticks and had a mobile phone and keys taken.

Judge Grant said the gang had acted like a pack and had pursued the boys until they were cornered. He said the attack was cowardly.