A 17-year-old serial robber has been banned from entering Watford town centre alone after pleading guilty to another robbery.

The teenager, who can not be named for legal reasons, had previously been convicted of eight robberies before the latest sentencing on Tuesday, May 11.

Handing down the verdict, Judge Caroline Wigin said the teenager had a “record rarely seen of someone of your age”.

St Albans Crown Court heard how the victim had been in Watford town centre on November 9, 2020, when he was approached by a group of people.

He had been dragged up the street to the entrance of Gade Car Park, off Rosslyn Road, pushed against the ticket machine and robbed of his iPhone, ear pods, jacket and bag.

It was also alleged in court that the victim was sexually assaulted and punched before the group left.

The defendant, who was only charged with robbery, was seen taking the victim’s rucksack and rummaging through it in the car park.

He pleaded guilty to robbery on March 27.

Judge Wigin gave him a 24-month youth rehabilitation order and a three-month curfew between 7pm-7am.

He also was handed a criminal behaviour order, meaning he cannot associate with certain people in Watford for 12 months.

The defendant cannot enter Watford town centre unless accompanied by a responsible adult for 12 months, and was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.

Sign up for our weekly crime and court newsletter here and keep up to date with the latest crime news on our dedicated Facebook page here.