A teenager was mugged for his iPhone when he was cornered by two older boys as he returned home from an afternoon with friends.

Michael Barnett, 13, was surrounded in Gravesend Cemetery, close to his home in Newton Abbot Road, on Sunday as he walked from Woodlands Park.

Although the mugging was not violent, one of the boys reportedly said “don’t let him go” after they pulled a rucksack from his back to take the phone.

The white iPhone 5S with a gold back was given to Michael as a Christmas present and was described as his “life” by his parents. The phone was kept in a black leather case.

His dad Mick said: “I’m more angry than anything. When he came home he was in a right state, he was hysterical. We kept him off school because he was feeling rough.

“We have told him if he is in that situation not to fight back because it’s not worth it. What makes it hard is that his phone was his life, he used it for everything and he’s only had it since Christmas.” The family contacted police who sent a patrol in search of the offenders.

Mr Barnett added: “I have to give credit to the police – they came as soon as we got off the phone. We drove around in a police car with them but didn’t see anything. I heard teenagers have had their phones snatched elsewhere in Gravesend.”

A police spokeswoman said: “The suspects are described as two white boys, aged 15 or 16 and of slim build. One of the boys was wearing a white cap with a blue badge on it, a navy blue tracksuit and had his hood up.

“The second suspect is described as having a London accent, short black hair and about 5ft 6in. He was wearing a dark blue/black hoodie and possibly jeans.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

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