A TEENAGER who took part in a violent street robbery has been sentenced to three years' detention.

The victim was punched and kicked while walking with Talha Lunat and others away from the town centre, where they had been drinking.

His wallet was taken and he feared he might be killed in the attack, last August.

Lunat, 19, of Walter Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to robbery.

Judge Pamela Badley, who gave the sentence at Preston Crown Court, told him: "It is a mystery to all those who know you why you should have behaved in this way,"

The victim had been drinking in the Cellar Bar, King Street, when he got chatting with the defendant, the court was told.

They later left the premises and went on to meet up with two other males.

David Pickup, prosecuting, said they were supposed to be walking to a house party.

They headed out of town and when in the Pleasington Road area he was punched several times on the back of the head.

As he lay on the ground was kicked about the head by two of the group.

In a statement he said: "I was absolutely terrified as I thought they might kill me.They were laughing at me as I lay on the floor in total shock."

He saw the defendant Lunat by chance the following month while in other licensed premises. The police were contacted and the teenager arrested.

Martin Hackett, defending, said: "He is at a loss to explain why he became involved in this nasty incident."