A BROMSGROVE teenager has been jailed for a total of nine years for stabbing a man twice in the back and being part of a gang who robbed a 78-year-old retired farmer in his remote mobile home.

Nathan Gurney could have easily been facing a life sentence as his knife attack almost killed 20-year-old Sean Robinson, a judge at Worcester Crown Court told him.

"Again and again in these courts, we see less serious offences than this having the most serious consequences," Judge Robert Juckes, QC, told the 19-year-old.

Gurney pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and two counts of robbery.

Duncan Craig, prosecuting, said Mr Robinson had been in Crossley Walk, Bromsgrove, at around 7pm on February 29 when he saw Gurney, who lived in the street, coming towards him holding a knife in each hand.

They had argued earlier in the day, the court heard and there was another argument. Mr Robinson started to walk away but Gurney stabbed him twice in the back with the larger of the knives. Mr Robinson pinned Gurney down but began to feel faint through loss of blood. He was taken to hospital and put into an induced coma to save his life, Mr Craig told the court.

He is still having medical treatment and in a victim impact statement, he said he was just going to meet his mate and nearly lost his life.

Alexander West, defending, said the two men knew each other and had argued earlier in the day.

He said Gurney was a troubled young man who was "in a dark place" at the time.

"He now realises what effect his actions have had on Mr Robinson's life," Mr West said.

Gurney was also said to be the front runner of a gang of four men who went to the remote mobile home of retired farmer Roger Green in the Worcestershire countryside last September. Mr Green had drawn out £300 from the bank, which he intended to use to live on for six weeks.

Gurney knew Mr Green, who is blind in one eye and has hearing difficulties, because he had once worked for him, Mr Craig said.

The gang arrived as Mr Green was about to go to bed, demanding money from him, and he handed over a total of £250 through the window while standing against the door to stop it being opened. One of the gang also said they were going to set fire to a nearby barn and he feared his caravan would be burnt.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Green said he had heard people banging on the side of the caravan with sticks and his window had been smashed with a brick on other occasions by different people. He now felt anxious and nervous every time he heard a sound.

Two other teenagers who were involved also pleaded guilty to robbery, but the court heard they had played a lesser part and had just been at the scene.

Harley Clements, aged 18, of Burlingham Avenue, Evesham, was given 12 months custody suspended for two years, and was ordered to attend 36 hours of a senior attendance programme, 25 days rehabilitation and to do 100 hours unpaid work within 12 months.

Reeve Riley, also 18, of Craven Court, Evesham, was given eight months suspended for 12 months with 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

Judge Juckes said they were young men who must start to take responsibility for their actions.

Gurney also pleaded guilty to a robbery in Evesham when he was with another gang who punched and robbed a young man.

He was given two-and-a-half years for each robbery to run concurrently and six-and-a-half years consecutively for wounding, a total of nine years.