Teenagers' Sentence Reduced

TWO 13-year-old boys who terrorised two elderly women in attempted robberies in Littlehampton have had their sentences cut by three Appeal Court judges.

Top judge Mr Justice Astill told the pair he hoped they would take full advantage of the chance being given to them, adding: "We hope that the courts never ever see them again."

Despite the youths' callous attacks on the women, the judge reduced their sentences from three years to two.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The youngsters were given detention and training sentences at Chichester Crown Court on February 8 after addmitting two counts of attempted robbery.

The Appeal Court in London heard the pair had launched attacks on two vulnerable victims as they were out and about in Littlehampton in October last year.

Mr Justice Astill said: "The first victim, an elderly lady, had turned down a road when she saw the boys running towards her. One of them pulled at her handbag before letting go and running off.

"The bag was fortunately on the handlebars of the woman's shopping trolley.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"At about 2.30 in the afternoon that followed, another elderly lady had turned into an alley when she became aware of people running behind her.

As she turned to observe, one of the boys grabbed her bag. She resisted and was pulled around and lost her balance and fell to the ground.

"As a result, she suffered bruises to her hip and her shoulder. As she spoke to a man she knew about the attack, these young men went up to her and asked her if she was all right.

"It would be pleasant to think that that was an expression that they were sorry. They then asked if she had contacted the police.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"She told them she intended to report it. In due course, they were both arrested."

The judge concluded: "We have given very careful and anxious consideration as to whether these sentences are not perfectly justified for the behaviour that took place that day.

"We have come to the conclusion that, in all circumstances, not least because we think that it's possible that these two boys are willing to learn from their terrible mistakes on that day, it is possible to reduce their sentences from three years to two."

Related topics: