A TEENAGER has been jailed for three years after he robbed a youngster of his mobile phone.

The 17-year-old Bradford on Avon youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, took a £300 phone from his 16-year-old victim at the town's train station.

Don Tait, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court the victim had been playing football in the car park.

He said: "There was ill feeling between the boy and this defendant over an incident some months earlier.

"The defendant started asking him for his phone but he refused to hand it over.

"The defendant pushed him and shoved him up against a wall. The victim believed he had a knife on him. He didn't see the knife but was in fear."

Mr Tait said the 17-year-old had told a friend he planned to steal the phone, who later told police.

The witness, 15, was at a youth club when the robber, armed with a hammer, approached him.

Mr Tait said the defendant told him, "I have read your statement and I am going to kick your head in".

He produced a hammer from up his sleeve but was restrained.

The court heard the teenager had previous convictions, including one for robbery. He admitted robbery and affray.

Stephen Mooney, defending, said his client experienced stunted emotional development when he was unwell as a child.