A 15-YEAR-OLD York youth was jailed for three years for his part in an armed robbery.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to assault and robbery at a shop in Newby Terrace, York, in November last year.

York Crown Court heard yesterday how he had gone into the shop with another offender who had a fake gun.

It had been held to the shop assistant's throat by the second offender and the men had taken the shop's till. As they fled the shop, the pair had been spotted by a passer-by who ran to retrieve the till and had been attacked by the second offender.

The youth had encouraged the second offender to strike him.

Steven Pidcock, for the youth, said he had just turned 15 when he committed the offence.

He said: "It was never meant to be a robbery, it was going to be a till snatch, he had no idea the other person had an artificial gun.

"It is a serious offence but there is a plentiful measure of immaturity and stupidity in it and he is now at an age where he can be diverted."

In sentencing the youth, Judge Gavin Barr-Young, said: "This was a very serious offence. It has upset the community where it happened.

"Two people received injuries, fortunately not serious, but certainly one of these people was put in fear.

"There can be no excuse for committing such an offence. You said you were under the influence of strong alcohol - that is no excuse.

"The offence is so serious only a custodial sentence can be justified."

The youth was sentenced to 30 months for robbery and six months for actual bodily harm.

Updated: 10:40 Tuesday, July 15, 2003