This is Leicestershire --Six robbers involved in carrying out muggings on teenage boys in Leicester have been locked up.
Victims were targeted in five separate incidents and had their mobile phones, money and bicycles stolen.
Judge Michael Pert QC said "word must get out" about how seriously mugging is viewed by the courts as he dished out custodial sentences, ranging from 18 months to more than four years, to the defendants.
Sohel Saiyed (18), of Darley Street, Spinney Hills, was sentenced to four years and three months' detention.
Wildaan Ramjaun (19), of Trevino Drive, Rushey Mead, and Ahmad Golamhosen (20), of Staveley Road, North Evington, were both given four years' detention.
Raju Pancholi (19), of Litelmede, New Humberstone, was sentenced to two years and eight months' detention.
Muhammad Ramjaun (21), of Trevino Drive, was jailed for two years, with an additional seven days for breaching a suspended sentence.
Kamar Saiyed (16), of Darley Street, was given an 18-month detention and training order.
Prosecutor James Bide-Thomas told Leicester Crown Court that the first incident was the mugging of a youth in Charles Street, in the city centre, on September 3 last year, and involved Sohel Saiyed and Raju Pancholi with an unknown accomplice.
The victim was threatened with violence and had his Blackberry phone taken.
On November 21 last year, Golamhosen, Wildaan Ramjaun and Sohel Saiyed robbed a 16-year-old boy of his £400 iPhone.
The victim was threatened with being "battered" in Victoria Park, Leicester.
The victim later said he formed the impression one of the robbers was carrying a knife in his pocket.
Wildaan Ramjaun and Golamhosen were in a group of unknown others who robbed a 14-year-old of a £5 note in Upper Tichborne Street, off London Road, Leicester, on April 29 this year.
Golamhosen, Wildaan Ramjaun and Muhammad Ramjaun were in Gwendolen Road, North Evington, when they confronted three 16-year-old boys walking home from the gym and bullied them into handing over their phones, on April 30.
Kamar Saiyed, who was armed with a bottle, and an unknown accomplice, forced two boys – aged 14 and 15 – to hand over their BMX bikes on Belgrave Flyover, in August.
Judge Michael Pert QC told the defendants, who pleaded guilty to their varying involvement in different offences: "The offence of robbery, taking something from someone by force in public, is a serious matter.
"The word must go out that these courts will treat such matters seriously.
"I'm presented with material that shows the better side of each of you, but I also have to take into account the position of the victims of your crimes."
In mitigation, defence counsel said the offenders all came from good homes and some were influenced into taking part by "peer pressure".
The younger defendants were described as being easily led and "naïve" and some expressed regret at being involved. Reported by This is 1 day ago.