A 20-YEAR-OLD who attacked two teenagers who were playing tennis in Chesham has been put behind bars for three years.

Ian Murray was sentenced to three years in a young offenders institute when he appeared at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday.

At an earlier hearing he pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and two theft charges. He was given concurrent three-year sentences on each count.

Murray, of Cresswell Road, Chesham, robbed two 16-year-olds of a mobile phone and a bag – hitting one of them several times with a tennis racquet in the process.

The offence took place at the tennis courts in Moor Road on January 27. Murray was later picked out by his victims at an ID parade.

Chief Inspector Ian Hunter, the Chiltern area's head of policing, said: “This is a very good result arising from a nasty incident and should show both this offender and others that significant sentences can follow such behaviour.

“The young victims were very brave in supporting the prosecution and providing really good detail after such a difficult event.”