Two “bullies” who tried to rob a schoolboy after chasing him through a village and forcing him into a wooden trailer have been given suspended sentences.

Sentencing Luke Ellis and Jordan Cook at Ipswich Crown Court, Recorder Richard Atchley said the incident must have been terrifying for the 15-year-old victim.

“You made it worse by making him remove his shoes and some of his clothing,” said the judge.

“It is a very sad day when two young men who themselves have been bullied turn into bullies and that’s exactly what you have done.”

Ellis, 20, of Fitzgerald Road, Bramford and Cook, 18, of Acton Road, Bramford, had denied attempting to rob the schoolboy on May 23 last year and were convicted after an earlier four day trial.

Cook also denied having a knife in Barham on the same date and was found guilty by a majority verdict of 11-1.

Cook was sentenced to two years youth detention suspended for two years, 150 hours unpaid work and a 35 day rehabilitation requirement.

Ellis was sentenced to 18 months youth detention suspended for two years, 100 hours unpaid work and a 20 day rehabilitation requirement.

The defendants, who have no previous convictions, were each ordered to pay £300 compensation to the victim and £100 costs.

The court heard that after being chased by a group of youths the schoolboy was forced into a trailer near the doctor’s surgery in Barham near Ipswich.

He had given them his school bag and the contents were poured out while members of the group searched for money.

The schoolboy was then told to take off his shoes, school jumper and trousers which he did and he was then ordered to remove jeans he was wearing under his school uniform, but he refused.

Cook had then pulled out a knife before the schoolboy was punched in the face by Cook and Ellis.

He fell back on to concrete with his nose bleeding and the group ran away.

Roger Thomson, for Cook, said his client had turned his life around in the last year. He said the incident had started off as a punch up rather than an attempted robbery.

Marcus Croskell, for Ellis, said his client had not taken a knife to the scene and was remorseful.

The court heard that both defendants were in work.