TROWBRIDGE brothers Nigel and Richard Ingram face jail after admitting a robbery which left an autistic teenager too traumatised to testify.

The pair were also due to stand trial for kidnapping the 17-year-old, but this charge will now lie on file as he could not give vital evidence.

The Ingrams, of Paxcroft Way, Trowbridge, earlier denied robbing Jonathan Whitfield, who has Aspergers Syndrome, and another robbery on Gary Osman, both on December 3 2003.

At Swindon Crown Court Richard, 19, and Nigel, 20, admitted robbing Jonathan.

The brothers, armed with a 1m- long metal bar, found Jonathan at Trowbridge train station at around 7.45pm and took him to cash machines at Asda and Tesco robbing him of £400, his bank card, a sports bag and computer games, a £15 gift voucher, his national insurance card, mobile phone, watch, gloves and coat.

Four hours later they attacked Mr Osman, 45, in Church Walk, stealing cash, a watch and cigarettes.

The brothers admitted actual bodily harm against Mr Osman, but a robbery charge against Richard was dropped due to lack of evidence. Nigel admitted theft.

Judge Thomas Longbotham said: "Both of you have pleaded guilty to very serious charges.

"By adjourning these matters for reports the court is giving no indication directly to the sentence, except to say that you are both due to be sent to prison."

Richard was given bail, but must observe a curfew at home while Nigel was remanded in custody before both will be sentenced on December 10.

Nigel has also admitted taking without consent and damaging a BMW on December 8 as well as driving without insurance or a licence.