THREE thugs who followed a man off a train and into a Hampshire town centre before submitting him to a violent attack as they attempted to rob him have escaped jail.

The judge at Portsmouth Crown Court told the trio he hoped non-custodial sentences would stop them re-offending, but warned that one false step and he would have "no hesitation" in putting them in prison.

The unprovoked attack last October 20 happened as Quentin Stimpson, a counsellor, travelled to Fareham from London.

Lawrence Moore, Jamie Slevin and Dominic Parkins, who were all 17 at the time, boarded the same train at Eastleigh and followed when Mr Stimpson got off at Fareham station and walked towards the town centre.

Slevin, now 18, of Woodstock Road, Gosport, shouted that he wanted money, before threatening to shoot Mr Stimpson if he did not hand over cash.

After he refused, Slevin then punched him in the face and all three set about hitting, elbowing and headbutting Mr Stimpson, who was left with cuts and swelling to his forehead, chin, and inside his lip.

Slevin and Parkins, who turns 18 this week, of Plymouth Street, Southsea, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

Moore, now 18, of Bellfield Close, Titchfield, was convicted by a jury, also of attempted robbery, after a three-day trial.

Yesterday Judge Richard Price gave Moore 12 months in a Young Offenders' Institution, but suspended the sentence for two years.

The unemployed father-of-one was also made the subject of a 12-month supervision requirement, ordered to take a 24-day enhanced thinking and skills programme, and pay £100 compensation to Mr Stimpson.

Slevin and Parkins were both handed two-year Community Punishment and Rehabilitation orders with 100 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £200 and £100 compensation respectively. Both were also given a six-month electronically tagged curfew.