A former Ashford Football player has avoided a red card despite being part of a team of muggers who robbed a teenager.

Fullback Ola Williams took part in the group attack near Ashford rail station after coming to the town for a football trial.

But that led to the 18-year-old facing another kind of trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Williams, who now plays in Tunbridge Wells, admitted two robbery charges – which usually carry immediate jail sentences for adults.

But Judge Simon James heard the semi-professional footballer was 17 at the time and had no previous criminal convictions.

The judge said: “I am sure those clubs (Ashford and Tunbridge Wells) are delighted that one of their players acted in the way I have seen in the CCTV.”

Williams, of Camberwell, south London, escaped with an order to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work for the community.

Prosecutor Alex Rooke said the incidents were caught on CCTV at Ashford International rail station and shown to the court.

The gang are seen to put up their hoodies before challenging a 15-year-old walking nearby.

Mr Rooke said: “The first victim was walking near the station on that Saturday afternoon at 2pm in May last year.

“He became aware of a group of young males behind him and feared they were might steal his watch and tried to speed up.

“But the group caught up with him and Williams said: 'Give me your watch and your phone and I won’t hurt you'.

“The rest of the group then gathered around him and a youth, who has been dealt with at another court, then tried to grab the watch and phone after telling him: 'If you run off we will bash your head in'.

It was then the teenager flagged down a cab driver and asked for help before alerting another pal about people “robbing and mugging in the vicinity".

The second victim – who said he felt "scared and intimidated” – was then approached by Williams who told him “give me your phone”, before taking it from him.

One of the other muggers then got a branch from a tree and held it 30cms from the youngster’s chest telling him to stay put.

The robbers then run off to a waiting train – but the victim used a special app to find out where his phone was and alerted security staff.

Williams and his pals then tried to run away after being confronted as they sat in a carriage.

After his arrest the £70-a-week footballer – who was offered a contract after a successful trial at Ashford - claimed it had been “a prank”.

Darryl Zhiwaki, 19, and Alhaji Kuyaten, 18, both from south London also admitted robbery charges.

Zhiwaki was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to two charges and Kuyaten will have to do 120 hours of work for the community after admitting one robbery.

All three were told they will have to pay their victims £150 each in compensation.

Judge James told them: “mercifully” none of the victims were injured.

Ashford who play in the Bostik League signed Williams on a dual registration from Vanarama National side Bromley.