A Canterbury university student was dragged through the city’s streets by two robbing brothers who snarled: “If you call the fuzz...we will slit your throat!”

Thugs Gino and Michael Birch – brandishing a piece of wood - grabbed the terrified Ryan Jacques as he was walking home from the Chill Nightclub.

After clubbing him to the ground, the armed brothers – who also claimed they had a knife - discovered the student had only £5 in cash.

Gino, 34, and Michael, 18, then ordered Mr Jacques to go to a cashpoint and withdraw money at 3.30 am during their attack in February.

Fortunately, their assault was witnessed by passers-by who called the police – and officers were waiting for the bullies before they could get more cash.

Arrogant Michael was so cocky he pretended it was a game..as Gino threw the stolen wallet back to the student sneering: “This is yours mate..”

Now Gino has been jailed for three years and his teenage brother sent to a young offender’s institute for two years after they admitted the charge.

The brothers, of Suffolk Avenue, Westgate On Sea, claimed they had “traumatic” childhoods – but Judge Adele Williams told them both: “Ultimately, each of you is responsible for your own actions and you must accept that responsibility!”

Prosecutor James Bilsland told Canterbury Crown Court how Mr Jacques, a student at Christchurch University, was returning from a night out in High Street and was walking through an alleyway.

“He had headphones on and was listening to music. He then suddenly saw two males, one of them had a plank of wood which unnerved him and he tried not to make eye contact.”

Michael then shouted at the frightened student and told him to empty his pockets, who pleaded with the brothers “to take what they wanted and just let him go”.

But Mr Bilsland added: “He was scared he was going to be hit with the wood and suddenly he was hit twice to his face. His legs were then struck and he fell to the floor where he was struck several times.

“A number of members of the public saw what was happening and police began receiving calls. Mr Jacques’ wallet, mobile phone, tobacco and keys were then taken by the brothers.

“Gino then took a credit card and told him he had to take money out of the cashpoint. He was then picked up, held in a headlock and dragged down the alleyway and towards Jessops and the Carphone Warehouse in Sturry Road.”

The prosecutor told how officers arrived and Gino ran away but was arrested while Michael “pretended to police that they were friends as Gino threw the wallet back to the student.”

John O’Higgins, defending said Gino had taken “ a colossal amount of alcohol” before the attack.

Phil Rowley, for Michael, claimed he had only recently been diagnosed withADHD and had faced “childhood trauma”.

Judge Adele Williams told them: “Both of you had taken a considerable amount of alcohol that night. I have read about your very difficult start in life that each of you has had. Ultimately, each of you is responsible for your own actions and you must accept that responsibility.

“But Gino, as the older, you must bear the greater culpability and responsibility.

A Canterbury university student was dragged through the city’s streets by two robbing brothers who snarled:

“If you call the fuzz...we will slit your throat!”

Thugs Gino and Michael Birch – brandishing a piece of wood - grabbed the terrified Ryan Jacques as he was walking home from the Chill Nightclub.

After clubbing him to the ground, the armed brothers – who also claimed they had a knife - discovered the student had only £5 in cash.

Gino, 34, and Michael, 18, then ordered Mr Jacques to go to a cashpoint and withdraw money at 3.30 am during their attack in February.

Fortunately, their assault was witnessed by passers-by who called the police – and officers were waiting for the bullies before they could get more cash.

Arrogant Michael was so cocky he pretended it was a game..as Gino threw the stolen wallet back to the student sneering: “This is yours mate..”

Now Gino has been jailed for three years and his teenage brother sent to a young offender’s institute for two years after they admitted the charge.

The brothers, of Suffolk Avenue, Westgate On Sea, claimed they had “traumatic” childhoods – but Judge Adele Williams told them both:

“Ultimately, each of you is responsible for your own actions and you must accept that responsibility!”

Prosecutor James Bilsland told Canterbury Crown Court how Mr Jacques, a student at Christchurch University, was returning from a night out in High Street and was walking through an alleyway.

“He had headphones on and was listening to music. He then suddenly saw two males, one of them had a plank of wood which unnerved him and he tried not to make eye contact.”

Michael then shouted at the frightened student and told him to empty his pockets, who pleaded with the brothers “to take what they wanted and just let him go”.

But Mr Bilsland added: “He was scared he was going to be hit with the wood and suddenly he was hit twice to his face. His legs were then struck and he fell to the floor where he was struck several times.

“A number of members of the public saw what was happening and police began receiving calls. Mr Jacques’ wallet, mobile phone, tobacco and keys were then taken by the brothers.

“Your victim sustained swelling and bruising to his ear and face and his front tooth was chipped and he is so traumatised he now refuses to go out alone at night" - Judge Adele Williams

“Gino then took a credit card and told him he had to take money out of the cashpoint. He was then picked up, held in a headlock and dragged down the alleyway and towards Jessops and the Carphone Warehouse in Sturry Road.”

The prosecutor told how officers arrived and Gino ran away but was arrested while Michael “pretended to police that they were friends as Gino threw the wallet back to the student.”

John O’Higgins, defending said Gino had taken “ a colossal amount of alcohol” before the attack.

Phil Rowley, for Michael, claimed he had only recently been diagnosed withADHD and had faced “childhood trauma”.

Judge Adele Williams told them: “Both of you had taken a considerable amount of alcohol that night. I have read about your very difficult start in life that each of you has had. Ultimately, each of you is responsible for your own actions and you must accept that responsibility.

“But Gino, as the older, you must bear the greater culpability and responsibility.

“Your victim sustained swelling and bruising to his ear and face and his front tooth was chipped and he is so traumatised so much he now refuses to go out alone at night."