A YOUTH was beaten up by a gang and robbed of his mobile phone.

The victim, 14, was kicked and punched as he crouched against a fence. The onslaught only ended when a neighbour shouted out and they rode off on their bikes.

Three youths were arrested shortly afterwards but in that short space of time, one of the gang had tried to rob another youth of his skateboard.

Prosecutor Adam Feest described how the first victim had been with friends when they came across the gang in a park.

The others fled into a playground but he found his way blocked at the entrance.

"It was just bad luck on his part he didn't get in there," Craig Hawkins told detectives afterwards as to why they singled him out.

The youth was then surrounded but tried to remain calm and talk his way out of trouble. H e then tried to run off to a friend's house but the gang caught up with him and after he was shoved to the ground, he was set upon with kicks and punches before handing over his phone.

Mr Feest said it was recovered after Hawkins took police to the spot where it had been discarded.

Jordan Desouza, 16, of Witts Hill, Southampton; Max Francis, 15, and Craig Hawkins, 18, both of Edelvale Road, Southampton; Darren Gregory, 15, formerly from Southampton but now living in Doncaster, and Adam McAllister, 16, of Fritham Road, Southampton, admitted robbery. McAllister also admitted another count of attempted robbery.

Francis received a 12 month training and detention order while McAllister, Gregory and Desouza received 18 month terms. Hawkins was sent to a young offenders institution for the same period. All defendants were of previous good character except for McAllister who had a conviction for causing damage.

Defence lawyers told the court of their remorse and the danger of sending them into custody where they could fall under the influence of more sophisticated offenders.

In this case the judge decided to lift the order protecting the identity of the youths because he said it was in the public interest.