TWO heroin users who robbed a youngster of a mobile phone and cash have been put behind bars for two years.

A judge passing sentence on the pair at Preston Crown Court said that in considering sentencing on Jonathan Holding and Ryan Lewis he had regard to a recent authority from the Lord Chief Justice on mobile phone robberies.

The court heard how the pair struck on the Kwik Save car park in Chorley last October. Their victim was a 16-year-old boy.

The boy was put in a headlock and forced to hand over £5 in cash. The defendants were with a third person at the time. One of them went through the boy's pockets and took a mobile phone.

Holding, 20, of Primrose Street, Chorley, and 18-year-old Lewis of Costswold House, Chorley, had both admitted robbery. In addition, Holding had pleaded guilty to three burglaries, one of possessing heroin and asked for four cases to be considered. Lewis also admitted offences of deception and theft.

Holding's other crimes included a burglary at his sister's home on Granville Road, Chorley, one in Geoffrey Street and another in Coppice Close, where his parents lived.

Defence barrister Ken Hind, for Holding, said the defendant was a classic example of how drugs could destroy lives. He had been spending £20 to £30 a day feeding a heroin habit.

Mr Keith Thomas, for Lewis, said he was on heroin and homeless at the time.

The judge, Recorder David Hernandez, said a crime like robbery had a long-standing effect on the victim. In his recent authority, the Lord Chief Justice had called for sentence of 18 months to three years where there was no weapon and five years or more where violence, particularly with weapons, was used.