A TROUBLED youth who mugged a vulnerable 16 year old was spared jail- but a judge slammed him as a bully.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Gareth Erangey, 18, knew the Accrington victim was picked on by others but took £10 off him.

The defendant, who left the 16 year old in tears, later told police he felt bad about what he had done.

Erangey, said to have been diagnosed with ADHD when he was eight, admitted robbing the teenager in Accrington last October.

The defendant, from the town and living in Accrington at the time had been given a community order just four months before. He now lives in Blackpool.

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt told him :"You are a bully and a thief and thats what this robbery was."

She said Erangey knew the victim had problems and was targeted -and he was supposed to know what that felt like.

Judge Lunt said she had at first thought of sending the defendant to jail but his barrister had persuaded her not to. She added:" Perhaps you are growing up. I hope so. I will give you a chance to show me you are."

Erangey was given 48 weeks in jail, suspended for two years, with 12 months supervision and 80 hours unpaid work.