A VIOLENT teenage mugger who attacked and robbed a youth and a pensioner in Keighley town centre on Boxing Day has been locked up for three years.

Nikolas Gasper, 19, who was on licence at the time for violent disorder, was told by the judge today that his victims, aged 17 and nearly 70, were very frightened and had been left with long-lasting consequences.

A 17-year-old accomplice, who cannot be named because of his age, was sentenced to an 18-month Youth Rehabilitation Order.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Gasper, of New Town Court, Keighley, and the youth from Bradford, were part of a gang that set upon and robbed the teenage boy and a man aged 69 on the afternoon of December 26.

Prosecutor Camille Morland said the first robbery took place at 5.15pm when the youth was followed by the group from the Airedale Shopping Centre along North Street.

The gang was loud and wearing hoodies and masks, the court heard.

The victim was told to turn out his pockets and threats were made to stab him, although no weapon was produced, Miss Morland said.

The youth’s wallet was snatched, he was pushed into a wall and punched in the face several times. He ran off towards the bus station, dropping his £200 phone which was also stolen by his pursuers.

He hid in a ginnel but was tracked down and chased into Ladbrokes betting shop where he was punched in the stomach and robbed of his backpack.

CCTV from the town centre showed the gang with his property and apparently celebrating, Miss Morland said.

The teenager was left shocked and scared. He was stressed and anxious and afraid to go out, the court was told.

The gang struck again at 7pm the same day, attacking the pensioner on Highfield Lane.

He was chased, pushed to the ground and kicked, suffering cuts and bruising to his nose and right elbow.

His wallet was snatched containing cash, bank cards, his bus pass and driving licence.

In his victim personal statement, he spoke of now taking a taxi when he went out and having difficulty sleeping.

The gang used one of the stolen bank cards to buy £35 of food from a nearby shop.

The two teenagers were arrested two days later and made no comment when ques-tioned by the police. They went on to plead guilty to both robberies.

The court heard that both had committed a previous offence of attempted robbery and Gasper was on licence for violent disorder.

Abigail Langford, for Gasper, said he was still a very young man.

He was currently in custody during the Covid regime and was now very insightful about what he had done.

For the 17-year-old, it was said that supported accommodation was available for him if he retained his liberty.

Although they were very serious offences, he was an immature youth who was ashamed of his behaviour.

Recorder Ashley Serr sentenced Gasper to three years’ detention in a young offender institution.

The 17-year-old was sentenced to an 18-month Youth Rehabilitation Order with inten-sive supervision and surveillance and a nine-month curfew order.