A teenager has been cleared of shoving a boy with learning difficulties from his mini motorcycle and running off with it.

The Chippenham teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before magistrates in the town charged with robbery by force.

The 17-year-old was accused of luring his alleged victim, a 15-year-old boy from Calne, outside his house with his Valentino mini motorcycle on the pretext that the accused wanted to help fix it.

Prosecutor Rhys Davies told the court on Friday how the 17-year-old travelled to Calne on August 6.

He said the teenager met a friend and both walked to another house and knocked on the door asking to see the mini moto.

The 15-year-old gave evidence via video link, and told the court that the defendant came to his house at lunchtime on August 6 to look at his bike.

He then described how the teenager asked if the bike was for sale and when he was told it wasn't began saying he would help in fixing up the £150 mini moto.

He told the court he was pushed off the bike and fell to the ground and then saw the defendant run away down an ally with the bike.

The victim's brother and another friend gave evidence placing the defendant at the scene.

The accused told magistrates he was not at the 15-year-old's house on that day.

He said: "I don't know nothing about a bike. They all must have something against me"

Andrew Eddy, defending, said his client did not go to the victim's house and highlighted the conflicts in witness statements.

He said: "There is more to this case than meets the eye. Even though we have heard three accounts I suggest they are wholly inaccurate.

"It would be tragic for a 17-year-old boy to be convicted on the evidence we have heard today."

Magistrate Mr Pearce said: "There is no question the defendant was in Calne as this was indicated to us by three witnesses. However only one of those people were present when the alleged removal of the mini moto took place.

"This was not proven beyond reasonable doubt and we find the defendant not guilty."