Teenage robber assaulted students in city flat

Published on 13/05/2006 12:43

A TEENAGER who assaulted students and raided their flat phoned for a taxi on a stolen mobile to carry off his haul.

Nicholas Wynne, 17, targeted youths and tourists in a string of robberies across Edinburgh.

He pleaded guilty at the city's sheriff court to ten charges.

Prosecutor Dev Kapadia said that on February 8, at about 8.30pm Wynne and other friends were in the stair outside a student flat at Bread Street. Jonathon Cilensu opened his door and the group asked if they could use a toilet.

Wynne became aggressive and told students: "We lied to you, we are going to rob you now." He took 20 from student Shaun Gray's wallet, then restrained him while his friend stole an MP3 player and a digital camera.

Mr Gray was assaulted and other items were stolen. Wynne took a mobile and phoned for a taxi to carry away the spoils.

Defence agent Elaine Crawford said Wynne suffered from a form of autism, had difficulty understanding the feelings of others and lacked social skills.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre ordered Wynne to be placed in detention for 30 months with a 12 month supervised release order.