A man who robbed three schoolboys has been jailed for 18 months after a British Transport Police investigation.

Matthew Batt, 21, targeted a 13-year-old schoolboy on a train between Sittingbourne and Sheerness on February 23, 2007, stealing his mobile phone.

Batt, who now lives in Annesley, Nottinghamshire, took the boy’s phone after stopping him from leaving the train and threatening violence unless he complied.

After leaving the train at Sheerness, he was later arrested for an unconnected offence.

When he was questioned about why he had the victim’s mobile phone, he claimed it was his, but the victim was able to disprove this.

He also targeted two 15-year-olds who were part of a group of pupils returning from a day trip to London on March 9, 2007.

Batt, who was with another man, approached the victims and demanded they hand over money.

They handed over a number of pound coins before other pupils saw what was happening and intervened.

Batt and the other man left the train when it arrived a Rochester but were discovered hiding in a car park by police, who had been called by one of the pupils on-board.

Batt was arrested and no further action was taken against the other man.

Detective Sergeant Allan Thomson, investigating officer, said: "Batt targeted his victims because they were young, vulnerable and afraid of being attacked if they didn’t comply.

"This type of despicable behaviour is nothing short of bullying and will always be met by zero tolerance from police.

"We welcome the prison sentence and hope it sends out a clear message about the consequences for those who think it’s acceptable to target innocent people."

Batt was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to four counts of robbery.