Swindon youths who mugged three people in Chippenham town centre have been sent to prison.

Jelani Nicholson, 18, of Rolleston Street, Justin Stewart-Nicholson, 20, of Kirkstall Close, Toothill, a 16-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Richard McKenzie, 21, of Lodge Road, Croydon, London, have all been put behind bars.

On October 23 the youths threatened and frisked two teenagers but found nothing worth taking, Swindon Crown Court heard.

They then attacked Alexander Thompson, 22, in Monkton Park. McKenzie racially abused him and he was knocked down by a headbutt. The gang then took his CD player, mobile phone, a key ring and cigarettes before he managed to escape.

The youths were arrested at the town's train station and Stewart-Nicholson was found to have the CD player and phone in his pockets.

All four pleaded guilty to attempted robbery.

All but Stewart-Nicholson also admitted robbery and Stewart-Nicholson admitted handling the goods stolen in that offence.

The youth also admitted two other robberies and handling stolen goods in incidents in Swindon.

Sentencing the youths Judge Charles Wade said: "There is evidence in this case of victims being very frightened and terrified.

"You were on the hunt for mobile phones, cash and anything else that you could take."

He jailed McKenzie for 21 months and Nicholson and Stewart-Nicholson for 18 months each.

He gave the 16-year-old a two-year detention and training order.