A Devonshire teenager who breached a probation order has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment

Jahreko Hill, of Vesey Street, was one of a group of teenagers that robbed and attacked two men on separate occasions.

The 18-year-old was placed on three years' probation in March 2009.

He pleaded guilty to cannabis possession on September 24.

Crown counsel Robert Welling told Magistrates' Court: "I have reviewed these matters and the facts of the two matters, and I have to say I was astonished that two robberies that included a brutal group beating of the victim resulted in probation.

"The robberies were so serious only a custodial sentence could be justified."

In the first incident Hill and two other teenagers confronted Joseph Budzynski at an ATM machine outside Lindo's Market in Devonshire on March 5, 2008.

The teenagers stole his cash, pulled Mr. Budzynski to the ground and beat him.

They demanded his PIN number and used it to withdraw a further $200 in cash before a passer-by came to Mr. Budzynski's assistance.

The group escaped with $300, the victim's laptop, iPod and cell phone.

In a second incident two months later, Hill was one of a group of young men who dragged Christopher Griffith off his motorcycle on Watlington Road East.

They beat him and stole his wallet and keys.

Hill pleaded guilty to his involvement in both robberies. His 2009 probation was given on condition that he commit no further offences.

Mr. Welling said: "Hill must have considered himself extremely fortunate. Anyone with that type of opportunity would have seized the opportunity, but he has not."

Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner revoked the probation order and sentenced Hill to six months' imprisonment for each count to be served concurrently, saying: "You had your chance."