Telford robber and accomplices targeted people near railway stations

Macauley Dodd and two teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were involved in robberies between December 30 last year and January 17 this year.

Dodd, 19, of Blewshill Court, Dawley, Telford, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery on December 30 last year.

He travelled from Telford to the Black Country, where he targeted victims near to Old Hill, Blackheath and Rowley Regis railway stations.

He and one of the teenagers, a 17-year-old from Smethwick who also admitted the charge, punched and kicked one victim before taking his mobile phone. The victim suffered bruising to his face and head.

Dodd also admitted attempted robbery on January 1. The other teenager, a 16 year old also from Smethwick, admitted robbery on the same date. A £10 Nokia mobile phone was taken from the victim.

Dodd also admitted to charges of robbery and attempted robbery near to Blackheath Railway Station on January 11.

He confessed to being in possession of a knife when he was arrested by police on January 13.

The 17-year-old pleaded guilty to a further charge of robbery on January 17 when he took a mobile phone from the victim on a bus on Oldbury.

He also admitted breach of a youth rehabilitation order.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told the 16-year-old had also escaped lawful custody after being arrested on January 20, which he admitted.

Dodd was sentenced to five-and-a-half years detention and the 17-year-old three years and eight months detention.

The 16-year-old was given a detention and training order for four months.

Richard Gibbs, defending the 16-year-old, said his client was starting to see things from an adult viewpoint.

Anthony Bell, defending Dodd, said his client already had plans to "make a fresh start" when he left custody.

The court was told the 17-year-old had "no desire to continue offending".