Two teenagers have appeared in court following a series of robberies in which Dartford schoolchildren were targeted for their mobile phones, IPODs and money.

A total of 16 reported incidents were investigated by police in north Kent, all of them between May 3 and May 18 in the Church Hill, Wilmington, Princes Road, Dartford, and Central Park in the town centre. All of the victims were aged between 11 and 16.

Saul Bellhouse, 18, of Milward Walk, Woolwich, was charged with five counts of robbery. A 17-year-old boy, from Swanley, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with seven counts of robbery and two counts of attempted robbery.

Both appeared at Dartford Magistrates' Court on Friday, May 21, where they were remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, June 7.