Post by Coate Water on Mar 11, 2009 14:55:36 GMT -5
www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/4188544.Teenage_gun_gang_terrify_victim/
Teenage gun gang terrify victim
9:20am Tuesday 10th March 2009
By Jeremy Grimaldi »
YOUNG members of a gun wielding gang have admitted holding the weapon to their terrified victim’s head.
The gang members, who are all aged between 13 and 16-years-old, cannot be named for legal reasons. But at Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday they pleaded guilty before their trials were set to begin.
A 15-year-old from Park South pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm and robbery, a 14-year-old from Park North admitted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
Another 15-year-old from Park South pleaded guilty to robbery, a 13-year-old from Eldene pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and a 16-year-old, from Park North, also pleaded guilty to ABH.
Roxanne Cole, prosecuting, said the incident occurred at Coate Water last July when five teens sat at a play park were approached by the boy with a red bandanna covering part of his face, carrying a ball-bearing gun.
She said the boy was quickly followed by the four other members of the gang.
The 14-year-old with the gun approached Jonathan Salisbury, 18, pointed the gun at his head and demanding his belongings. That included cans of lager, a mobile phone and two bags.
Ms Cole said he then handed the gun to the 15-year-old while he looked for further items.
While this was occurring the 13-year-old boy and another 16-year-old attacker assaulted another 16-year-old, who they had witnessed picking up a knife that had fallen on the ground. The 13-year-old then picked up a branch and swung it at the boy twice cutting him, the court heard.
The youngsters were later arrested and in police interview the five boys told a number of different stories – with only the 13-year-old telling the truth and saying where the gun was, though when police went to recover the weapon nothing was found.
Simon Tibbits, defending the 14-year-old who first carried the gun, who had previous convictions, said his defendant didn’t keep anything other than the beer.
He said: “He was only 14-years-old at the time and he wasn’t holding the gun throughout. He also didn’t actually use any violence – only threatened it.”
Terry McCarthy, defending the 15-year-old, said: “He was not pointed out as one of the main perpetrators by the people who reported it to police, the gun was thrown to him, he did hold the gun and was honest with police.”
Tony Nowogrodzki, defending, the 16 and 15-year-olds, said his clients were on the periphery of the incident.
He said: “He was 15-years-old when this happened and only became involved when he saw a knife, as a result he struck a blow.
“The 16-year-old was at the lowest end of everyone here, he was asked to carry bags, he carried the bags across the street, he has been dragged along in this matter.”
Philip Hall, defending the 13-year-old, who lives in Hull, said his client was the only one to tell the police the truth and pleaded guilty in December. He said: “There is a clear distinction between my client and the rest.”
Teenage gun gang terrify victim
9:20am Tuesday 10th March 2009
By Jeremy Grimaldi »
YOUNG members of a gun wielding gang have admitted holding the weapon to their terrified victim’s head.
The gang members, who are all aged between 13 and 16-years-old, cannot be named for legal reasons. But at Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday they pleaded guilty before their trials were set to begin.
A 15-year-old from Park South pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm and robbery, a 14-year-old from Park North admitted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
Another 15-year-old from Park South pleaded guilty to robbery, a 13-year-old from Eldene pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and a 16-year-old, from Park North, also pleaded guilty to ABH.
Roxanne Cole, prosecuting, said the incident occurred at Coate Water last July when five teens sat at a play park were approached by the boy with a red bandanna covering part of his face, carrying a ball-bearing gun.
She said the boy was quickly followed by the four other members of the gang.
The 14-year-old with the gun approached Jonathan Salisbury, 18, pointed the gun at his head and demanding his belongings. That included cans of lager, a mobile phone and two bags.
Ms Cole said he then handed the gun to the 15-year-old while he looked for further items.
While this was occurring the 13-year-old boy and another 16-year-old attacker assaulted another 16-year-old, who they had witnessed picking up a knife that had fallen on the ground. The 13-year-old then picked up a branch and swung it at the boy twice cutting him, the court heard.
The youngsters were later arrested and in police interview the five boys told a number of different stories – with only the 13-year-old telling the truth and saying where the gun was, though when police went to recover the weapon nothing was found.
Simon Tibbits, defending the 14-year-old who first carried the gun, who had previous convictions, said his defendant didn’t keep anything other than the beer.
He said: “He was only 14-years-old at the time and he wasn’t holding the gun throughout. He also didn’t actually use any violence – only threatened it.”
Terry McCarthy, defending the 15-year-old, said: “He was not pointed out as one of the main perpetrators by the people who reported it to police, the gun was thrown to him, he did hold the gun and was honest with police.”
Tony Nowogrodzki, defending, the 16 and 15-year-olds, said his clients were on the periphery of the incident.
He said: “He was 15-years-old when this happened and only became involved when he saw a knife, as a result he struck a blow.
“The 16-year-old was at the lowest end of everyone here, he was asked to carry bags, he carried the bags across the street, he has been dragged along in this matter.”
Philip Hall, defending the 13-year-old, who lives in Hull, said his client was the only one to tell the police the truth and pleaded guilty in December. He said: “There is a clear distinction between my client and the rest.”
