A FOREIGN student has vowed he will never return to Bournemouth after his group was attacked and robbed in Southbourne. The victim was among students targeted by Thomas Williams and Stuart Westwood near Fisherman’s Walk in the early hours of July 18.

Williams, 19, from Douglas Mews, Bournemouth admitted assault, robbery and attempted robbery. Westwood, 22, from Paisley Road, Bournemouth pleaded guilty to two assaults and robbery.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth Crown Court, Desmond Duffy said Westwood had ran towards the group, kicking a 16-year-old student who fell to the ground, and punching his companion in the face.

When Williams kicked one teenager in the ribs, the students fled to a fast food takeaway before flagging down a police car.

“As the students began walking home, they encountered these two defendants again who shouted at them to stop. Some ran off but Westwood approached one, demanding money,” added Mr Duffy.

“When the student pushed him back, Westwood swung a punch at him but it didn’t connect. The student was scared and took out his personal possessions; £5 in cash and a mobile phone. Westwood took them.”

Williams demanded money from another student, rifling his wallet and taking £90, before attempting to rob another member of the group.

In a statement, one traumatised victim said: “I feel scared to walk outside in the street. I’m always looking over my shoulder. I don’t like Bournemouth now and I will not come back as I am scared of these people.”

The 16-year-old who was attacked said: “This incident has really scared me. I thought I was going to be beaten up. I was petrified and the next night I could not go out.”

In Westwood’s defence, the court heard that he had taken an ecstasy pill and downed a litre of cider and couple of beers before the attack which had been fuelled by an attack on him earlier that night.

The attack hadn’t been premeditated and he had been “acting out of emotional turmoil”.

In Williams’ defence, Robert Grey said his client had handed himself in and entered early guilty pleas, adding: “He has had his first taste of custody and it has had a wakening effect on him.”

Jailing Westwood for 32 months and Williams for 28 months, Judge John Harrow told them: “You deliberately sought confrontation with a group of foreign students. The offences are so serious there have to be immediate prison sentences.”

The officer in the case, DC Ade Stocker said: “I am pleased with the sentences. These were nasty attacks on vulnerable foreign students. I hope this sends a message that we won’t tolerate such behaviour.”