A pair of violent robbers who battered a 16-year-old boy after taking a shine to his moped in a Huddersfield park today failed in appeals against their sentences.
Thomas Garfield Clements, 20, and Luke Stephen Greenwood, 21, were each caged for five years at Leeds Crown Court in November after admitting the robbery.
The troublesome pair had also been subject to suspended sentences at the time, having been given earlier chances to change their ways following another robbery.
Today, they took their case to the Court of Appeal in London, where they were told by three senior judges that they deserve every day of their sentences.
Clements, of Bishops Court, Berry Brow, and Greenwood, of Holmefield Close, Taylor Hill, robbed the boy in Ravensknowle Park last October.
He had been standing with friends when Greenwood approached and began asking questions about his £1,500 moped.
When he refused to hand over the keys, Greenwood attacked him, punching him repeatedly and knocking him over.
Clements joined in, threatening to spray the boy with CS gas, then striking him on the head with the canister, which actually contained deodorant.
The pair, who had been drinking, even returned to mete out further threats after having started to walk off.
They left with the moped, but dumped it on the ground.
Minutes later, they were arrested after the victim and his friends reported the robbery at a police station nearby.
The Court of Appeal heard the pair had each been subject to two suspended sentences for robbery and threatening behaviour.
Sentencing them, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, said they had been given chances and not taken them.
Today, their lawyers argued that their five-year terms were too tough, but saw their challenges rejected by top judges.
Mr Justice Nicol, who heard the appeal with Sir Brian Leveson and Mr Justice Mitting, said: “There were the aggravating features that two offenders were attacking a young complainant.
“They did so at night-time in a public place and, of particular significance, this wasn’t a grab-and-run as many street muggings could be characterised.
“They kept coming back to this young complainant to administer further assaults in their attempt to try and get the keys for his moped.
“It is important to appreciate that the Recorder of Leeds, and the Leeds Crown Court more generally, was very familiar with these two young appellants.
“The judge was well aware that they had been given the opportunity, on a number of occasions, to change the course of their lives and to give up their previous offending behaviour.
“They had not taken those opportunities.”
Their appeals were dismissed.
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