Thug’s threat to break boy’s neck

A THUG who tried three times to rob young students on their way to Oldham’s Blue Coat School has escaped being sent to prison.

Daniel Brophy (23) confronted two 12-year old boys, threatening them with violence unless they handed over their mobile phones.

He then targeted a 16-year old, again demanding his phone, and making threats to him.

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court was told that Brophy’s actions on February 11, had been witnessed by a member of the public who had noticed him because of his scruffy appearance.

Wendy Logan, prosecuting, said the two younger boys had been accosted as they walked along Lord Street on their way to school shortly after 8am.

Brophy, of no fixed address, was heard to shout to one of them: “Give me your f***g phone” and then threaten to break the youngster’s neck.

He threatened the other in similar fashion, saying he would break every bone in his body if he saw him in the St Mary’s estate area again.

The member of the public who saw what happened, called the boys over to her, and after they got safely to school, members of the teaching staff were alerted and police called. The court was told that when interviewed, Brophy made some admissions about his behaviour, including swearing at the youngsters, but claimed he had simply been asking for cigarettes.

Saul Brody defending, said his client had had a troubled life, and the court was told he suffered from mental health problems and substance abuse.

He said sentencing of his client had had to be adjourned on three separate occasions because of concerns about where he should live.

Arrangements had now been made for him to have accommodation at an address approved by the Probation Service in the Oldham area.

Sentencing him to an 18- month community order, Judge Leslie Nield told him: “These are very serious offences, and I am sure you can imagine how 12-year-old boys would feel when threatened by someone like you.” She told him she felt able to avoid a prison sentence in view of his guilty pleas to three charges of attempted robbery, and the fact that he had already spent 154-days in custody on remand.

She stressed his sentence would involve close supervision requirements including working with a mental health team.