Two teenagers have appeared in court after carrying out a series of robberies in Bury and Manchester.

Isaiah Foster and Saamai Arshad were both aged 17 when they were involved in the robbery of a £180 Gucci bag and an iPhone from another male outside McDonald’s in Bury in July last year.

Prosecutor Kate Gaskell told Manchester Crown Court that the male and his friend walked into the restaurant before noticing a group of four youths behind them, all of whom had their faces covered.

The group then asked the two males to go outside with them and threatened to stab them if he didn’t hand over the bag from which Foster then took an iPhone.

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A passing bystander asked the male if he had been mugged, which prompted members of the group to punch him a number of times, resulting in a cut to his right ear, the court heard.

The group then ran off through Bury town centre before Foster attempted to make a purchase with a stolen GoHenry bank card.

Foster was then seen by a police officer who had met him on several previous occasions, he was arrested on July 19, 2022.

Ms Gaskell told the court Foster and Arshad also carried out a series of robberies in Manchester, including on Whitworth Street in the city centre.

In February 2022, the pair committed two robberies including of a man walking back from the gym. Foster and Arshad approached the man wearing face coverings and took a Canada Goose gilet from him.

They demanded the man hand over his iPhone, and when he refused, they showed him the handle of a knife to threaten him. After taking the phone and wallet, the man’s card was used to buy two packs of cigarettes.

Reading from a victim impact statement written by the victim, Ms Gaskell said: “It took him a long time to save up the money in the bag that day, it made him fear for his safety.”

Foster and Arshad, now both aged 18 and of Forest Bank prison, have pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery.

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Henry Blackshaw, defending Foster, said his client had “expressed his remorse” and added that he had reflected on the impact of the crimes on his victims during his time in custody.

Noting Foster’s age at the time of the crimes, he added: “He is maturing and growing.

“He is more remorseful and there is reason to have optimism.”

Nick Ross, defending Arshad, added that his client had also shown remorse and was willing to change his behaviour.

He said: “It does appear that there is a degree of growing up, he feels he is rather more mature.”

Following the hearing on Wednesday, Judge Tom Gilbert said both Foster and Arshad will return to court today, Thursday, where they will be sentenced.