TWO Burnley youths who ambushed two men in a motorway under-pass have been sentenced to two years detention.

Preston Crown Court was told that two victims were threatened with a knife and a baseball bat during the robbery in May this year.

Umar Farooq, 18, of Gordon Street and a 17-year-old youth admitted robbing Peter Hunt and Scott Page on May 23.

Judge Robert Brown told the pair: "It is baffling to all concerned as to why you should stoop so low as to commit this despicable offence."

Timothy Ashmole, prosecuting, told the court the robberies took place around 9.30 pm in a motorway underpass leading from Pendle Way to Clifton Street, Burnley. Farqooq was armed with a 5in knife and the 17-year-old with a baseball bat.

They had picked a spot for the ambush with one defendant in front of the two victims and the other behind.

Farooq got hold of Mr Page by his neck and a knife was held to his throat as threats were made. The 17-year-old hit Mr Hunt over the head with a baseball bat with sufficient force to knock him to the ground and for a time he was unconscious. Farooq joined in the attack on Mr Hunt and rifled through his pockets.

Mr Hunt had his wallet, a mobile phone, £4 and a gold bracelet taken. Mr Page had cigarettes and £5 taken.

Mr Hunt recongnised Farooq as someone who had been at the same school as him and he was arrested.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Farooq was of good character, had seven GCSEs and was due to go to Burnley College to become an electrician. He was active in race relations and Burnley Youth Council.

Michael Leeming, defending the 17-year-old, said he was 16 at the time of the offences. The bat was already broken and was taped together, which explained why it had broken during the attack.

The offence was out of character for the teenager, who had many positive characteristics and wanted to study law and become a lawyer.