THREE teenagers targeted youngsters with bikes in a series of knifepoint robberies in Widnes.

A 14-year-old, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced at Warrington Youth Court after they each admitted three counts of robbery.

Two of the robberies happened on July 20, both in Victoria Park, where other young people were threatened with a knife and told to hand over their bikes.

The third incident was on July 22, also in Victoria Park, where another young person was pushed off a bike and threatened with a knife.

The 16-year-old was sentenced to eight months in a young offender’s institute.

The 15-year-old was sentenced to 10 months in a young offender’s institute while the 14-year-old was given a 12 month referral order.

Detective constable Thomas Lucas said: “I want to thank the victims in this case who were very young but bravely stood up to those who threatened them and did the right thing by calling the police.”