A GANG of yobs travelled to Chippenham where they mugged a 22-year-old man and tried to rob two others, a court heard.

Richard McKenzie, 21, from London; Jelani Nicholson, 18, of Rolleston Street, Swindon, and a 15-year-old from Swindon who cannot be named for legal reasons, all admitted robbing the man in Monkton Park in October last year.

Minutes earlier McKenzie, the 15-year-old and a fourth man, Justin Stewart-Nicholson, 20, of Kirkstall Close, Toothill, tried to mug a 17-year-old in an alleyway close to the Emery Gate shopping centre.

Nicholson also pleaded guilty to another attempted robbery on the same afternoon and Stewart-Nicholson admitted handling goods taken in the robbery.

They were also charged with two other counts of attempted robbery on the same afternoon, but pleaded not guilty to the matters. The CPS has dropped charges on these matters.

A judge at Swindon Crown Court heard how the gang first struck in an alleyway behind Hardy's restaurant shortly after 5.30pm when they surrounded their teenage victim.

The group of robbers issued threats and searched his pockets and rucksack after demanding to see his mobile phone, which they laughed at for being 'old fashioned', telling him it was not worth anything.

Having left empty handed the group then went into Monkton Park where 22-year-old Alexander Thompson was approached by the youths.

Ramin Pakrooh, prosecuting, said McKenzie went up to him and racially abused him before head butting him and saying 'Give me everything you've got on you boy'.

He handed over a CD player and some keys. He was then asked for his mobile phone, which he handed over.

McKenzie then head-butted him causing him to sink to one knee, where the youngest of the attackers punched him, said the prosecutor.

During the successful mugging Stewart-Nicholson was on the other side of the river bridge making a call on his mobile phone.

The four thugs were arrested at the town's train station and Stewart-Nicholson was found to have the CD player and phone in his pockets.

Mark Ruffell, defending McKenzie, said his client did not accept that he had delivered the head butts.

McKenzie, of Lodge Road, Croydon, South London, was remanded in custody.

Nicholson and Stewart-Nicholson were released on bail on condition they stay out of Chippenham and live at home.

The 15-year-old, who has admitted two other robberies and handling stolen goods, was also released on bail.

The four are due to appear at Swindon Crown Court for sentencing on March 26.

Giles Sheldrick