Apr 7, 2014

Teen bike attack left boy scared to leave house alone In the courts Published on the 07 April 2014 Print this Two teenagers who tried to rob a boy of his £400 bike must spend their Saturdays at an attendance centre and pay their victim compensation. Richard Asimba, 18, and a 17-year-old were part of a group who cornered the victim in Station Road, Hemel Hempstead in June last year. During a struggle Asimba struck the 16-year-old in the face, causing a black eye. Although they did not get away with his bike, the victim was left worried about going out on his own, St Albans Crown Court heard. Asimba, of Turners Hill, Hemel, and the 17-year-old from Hemel, who cannot be named, were convicted of attempted robbery. They refused to name another boy involved. Prosecutor Robert Forrest said Asimba had a previous conviction for possessing cannabis while the 17-year-old had one previous conviction for criminal damage. John Marchant, defending, told the court Asimba said he accepted the verdict and was now looking to the future. “He has been doing well at college,” said Mr Marchant. “He has learnt his lesson and won’t be coming back. He apologises to the victim for what happened.” The 17-year-old now has job as an apprentice carpenter, the court heard. Recorder Lana Wood told both youths: “You both need to think about what you did. “It was an advanced form of bullying. The victim has not been able to go out by himself since this incident.” She ordered Asimba to report to an attendance centre in Luton for 12 three-hour sessions on alternate Saturdays, pay the victim £625 compensation and £100 costs. The 17 year old was told to report for 12 two-hour sessions at an attendance centre in St Albans on alternate Saturdays and pay £500 compensation and £100 costs.