A MAN who mugged teenage boys in the grounds of Blackburn’s Cathedral first showed them a photograph of a man who had been badly beaten.

Niaeem Alam, 18, of Kay Street, Darwen was yesterday given an indeterminate prison sentence after stealing from three boys in targeted attacks.

Alam first struck after befriending two 15-year-old boys and persuading them to go to the grounds of Blackburn Cathedral.

He took them into a secluded court yard before showing them a picture on his phone of a man with head injuries, covered in blood, before stealing cash and making off.

The following evening, Friday September 21 last year, he befriended a 16-year-old boy and took him to the same courtyard before punching him in the face.

He stole his Blackberry mobile phone and ran off.

Alam, who pleading guilty to theft, two counts of robbery and assault, must now serve a minimum of two and a half years before he can be considered for release.

DC Mick Ingram said: “The picture was shown very quickly, but both boys found it very disturbing.

“Alam is a cowardly man who deliberately targeted vulnerable young boys leaving them extremely frightened. It was along the lines of, ‘If you go to the police, this could be you’.

“I hope this case acts as a warning to people who think violent crime is acceptable, that they will be thoroughly investigated and may face a lengthy prison sentence.

“Offences like this will not be tolerated and we will do everything we can to pursue those involved and bring them to justice.”

Police said the man in the picture shown to the two boys had never been identified and it was unclear if they were genuine injuries.

• In a seperate incident an 18-year-old man was threatened in Blackburn Cathedral’s grounds on Thursday night, police said.

The victim was making his way to the bus station when he was approached by a man with a knife He was then surrounded by a group of males but managed to run away and alert a passer-by.

Police last night said they were questioning three local youths aged 19, 18 and 14 in connection with the incident after releasing a 17-year-old without charge.

Anyone with information or concerns about crime can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.