TWO men have been convicted of robbing a teenage girl over a £10 debt.

Michael Taylor, of Walsingham Road, Colchester, and Bradley Williams of Maldon, Road, Sudbury had denied robbery during a trial at Ipswich Crown Court.

But a jury of six men and six women found both unanimously guilty after nearly seven hours of deliberations.

The victim had her mobile phone, keys and bank card taken in the incident near the subway in Southway, Colchester, in November last year.

She was then attacked by a 16-year-old girl who smashed her head against the pavement leaving her with a laceration to the skull.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm before the trial began.

After the verdict was read out, Williams - who was dressed smartly in a white shirt and black trousers - shouted the jury had not been given the full picture and claimed evidence had been withheld.

He said: “I hope you sleep well tonight.

“They are sending an innocent person to jail.

“I did not rob that girl.”

Judge David Goodin remanded him in custody until a sentencing hearing early next month and Williams lashed out at security guards as they tried to lead him down to the cells.

Taylor has been handed conditional bail until the next hearing so he can attend a parole hearing for his mother, who looks likely to be released from her own prison sentence.

Judge Goodin said custody was an option for the pair, but said he would allow Taylor to attend the hearing provided he resided at his home address and did not contact the victim.

Judge Goodin said: “Because of your particular personal circumstances I will grant bail.

“You should be able to be at the hearing.”

Both men had also been charged with assault causing actual bodily harm but the jury were instructed to deliver automatic not guilty verdicts on that charge.

Judge Goodin thanked the jury for their help and patience in coming to a verdict in the trial which begin last Monday.

A sentencing hearing for all three has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 8.