TWO boys have appeared in court after carrying out a homophobic attack and a robbery.

The pair, aged 15 and 12, assaulted three victims in a park in Warrington in a ‘hate crime motivated by homophobia and transphobia’.

Less than two weeks later, the teen then robbed a girl after repeatedly punching her in the face and beating her with the seat of his bike.

Warrington Magistrates Court heard on Thursday, October 21, that the first incident occurred back in May this year.

The victims were approached by the two defendants, who began shouting abusive terms including ‘f*****’ and ‘gay’ at the youngsters before the 15-year-old – who cannot be named for legal reasons – spat in the face of one of the trio.

Meanwhile the 12-year-old, from Warrington, held a lighter in the face of another and lit the flame.

Then, in June, the older assailant – who has one previous conviction for affray – stole a Bluetooth speaker from a girl who was in the park with her girlfriend and began walking away.

When the pair attempted to intervene, he punched the teenager three times in the face then took the seat from his bicycle and began hitting her with it while shouting ‘f**s’.

In a statement which was read out to the court, one of the assault victims said: “I felt ashamed and incredibly uncomfortable as a result of what he said to me and my friends.

“I felt in some way that the assault was my assault and I deserved it – I became scared to go out of the house.”

The 15-year-old attacker, of St Helens, admitted robbery, five counts of assault and two charges of using threatening behaviour during an earlier hearing.

He was ordered to serve a three-month electronically monitored curfew from 7pm to 7am as part of a 12-month youth rehabilitation order, as well as being told to pay a £22 victim surcharge.

Sentencing, magistrates panel chairman Brian Gallagher said: “We’ve heard about a catalogue of offences, and some of them are quite horrific and deplorable.

“You need to learn that this is unacceptable behaviour.

“We do think that this has crossed the custodial threshold due to a weapon being used in a sustained attacked, aggravated by the homophobic behaviour.

“But we’re not going to impose custody today, we’re going to step back.

“Take today as a lesson – it’s a strict punishment you’re going to have to adhere to and it’s a direct alternative to custody.

“If there are any breaches, you will be brought back to court and you will be dealt with differently.”

The 12-year-old, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted three counts of assault at Warrington Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 13, and was handed a nine-month youth referral order.

He was also told to pay £85 in court costs plus a £22 victim surcharge.