A 14-year-old boy has been sentenced for a series of violent offences targeted at an elderly man and a married couple last year.

Both incidents occurred in Preston and the teenager has been sentenced to a 12 month referral order and had to pay a total of £200 to the victims.

The first incident took place on April 26, when the boy, who was 13 at the time, forced entry into a couple's home by kicking the front door in.

While inside, he demanded a new phone and grabbed the woman by the neck and pushed her to the floor, before running off with the rest of the group empty handed.

 A short time later, after the women’s husband had picked up their young children from school, the same group approached him demanding the electric scooter.

When he refused to give it to them the defendant punched him to the floor and kicked him on the ground.

The victim sustained injuries to his lip and a loose tooth, as well as cuts to his elbow and legs.

He was charged with using violence to secure entry to premises, assault by beating, attempted robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Six weeks later, on June 12, whilst on bail for the first offence, the defendant attacked a 74-year-old man in Preston.

At 3.20pm, a lollipop man was working outside a school when the defendant attacked him on the back of a motorbike.

His foot hit the man in the chest causing him to fall to the floor and sustain an injury to his chest.

The defendant pleaded guilty to using violence to secure entry to premises, assault by beating, attempted robbery and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the couple.

He also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the lollipop man.

David Holland, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in the North West, said: “This teenager targeted a couple in two separate violent incidents causing the whole family fear and distress.

 “Six weeks later, as a 74-year-old school crossing patrol man was using the road, the defendant kicked out from the back of a motorbike with such force that he fell off the bike and his victim sustained a chest injury.

“I hope that following today’s sentence and hearing the effects these violent incidents have had upon those involved, the defendant will face up to the consequences of his actions.”

Due to the boy's age, he cannot be named.