Swindon teens given custodial sentences for hammer attack and violent robberies

Two youths have been sentenced at Swindon Crown Court in relation to robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. 

The local males, who cannot be named for legal reasons, aged 15 and 17-years-old pleaded guilty to robberies which took place on 18 February 2018. 

At 9.30pm, staff members at Greenmeadow Stores, Thames Avenue, Swindon saw the boys in the shop wearing balaclavas/masks covering their faces.  The member of staff approached them and asked them to remove their masks but they refused and one left the shop taking stolen items.

In an attempt to detain the other boy the staff member tried to shut the shop door but was assaulted; he was grabbed by the throat and pushed into a display stand.  A colleague came to help him and pulled the offender away who then left the store.

The offenders shouted abuse and threats from outside before leaving the area.  Fortunately the victim was not injured in the incident. 

At 9.58pm our control room received a 999 call from a 21-year-old local man who stated that he and his friends had been attacked 10 minutes earlier.  One of the males had hit him to the head with a hammer, punched him to the face and stole his Rolex watch and jacket. His friend, a 22 year old man, had his tobacco stolen and was punched and then kicked when he fell to the floor.  He sustained facial injuries in the assault.

Police officers including a dog unit were dispatched to the area.  An officer in a patrol car saw someone matching the description of one of the offenders cycling in the area and asked him to stop. The 15 year old tried to speed up and cycle away but skidded and then ran off down an alleyway.  The officer saw him drop a small hammer and balaclava before detaining him.

A few minutes after 10pm, a Tri-force dog handler located the other suspect, also on a bike, in the Pinehurst area.

The 17-year-old was sentenced on 8 June and given four years' detention.  The 15-year-old was given three years and nine months detention on 14 June.  Both were ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge.

Sgt Georgina Green said:  "This was a particularly nasty attack, with one of the victims sustaining nasty injuries requiring hospital treatment.  Their injuries had the potential to be much more serious than they were. 

"The offenders were very aggressive and threatening and this level of criminality, at such a young age, is concerning. 

"We will not tolerate this level of behaviour in the Swindon community and will take robust action against violent crime or anyone found carrying weapons.   

"Whether adult or youth, they will be held accountable for their actions. The custodial sentences imposed by the courts are a reflection of this and we are pleased with the sentences imposed."