Boys’ faces were slashed before robbers ran away with their mobile phones

ONE VICTIM SAID HE 'LOST FAITH' AFTER SIX-YEAR WAIT FOR JUSTICE

- MARTIN NAYLOR

A GROUP of teenagers was attacked during a violent knifepoint robbery in the early hours.

Two of them, aged just 14, were slashed in the face by William McLatchie, despite all of the victims being more than willing to hand over their phones to him and his accomplice, James Jordan.

Just hours earlier, McLatchie carried out what a judge called “a vicious attack” on a man in a park in Calverton who had his bank card stolen from him.

Now both of them have been handed prison sentences for the roles they played.

Judge Nirmal Shant KC said: “The first robbery involved you alone, Mr McLatchie, and it was a vicious attack. Both of you committed the group robberies which took place just hours after the first one.

“They were vulnerable young men, aged 14 to 15, minding their own business and walking to McDonald's when you approached them. They were more than willing to hand over their phones but you, Mr McLatchie, inflicted injuries on two of them.

“There was absolutely no need to but, nevertheless, violence was meted out on them.”