Three teenagers and a 20-year-old man involved in a spate of robberies and bottle attacks will be behind bars for Christmas.

Marcus Casamenti, Andreas Stancu, Josh Game and Jake Hall were all due to stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court this week following their crime spree in Tunbridge Wells in June.

One victim had even flown into the country from Poland to give evidence while another was to appear via a link with Bristol Crown Court.

The young defendants had been arrested a fortnight after two men were violently assaulted in Calverley Park.

It was reported at the time that one suffered multiple cuts to his head and the other sustained damage to his teeth after both were struck by bottles.

A third man was robbed of £9, a bank card and tobacco on that same date, while another had the misfortune of falling victim to the crooks on three occasions, losing a total of almost £1,000 in two muggings and an attempted robbery.

However, before a jury was sworn in on Tuesday (December 10), the young defendants admitted a total of six offences between them.

Casamenti, 19, and Game, 20, pleaded guilty to wounding Katejan Sikorski and Jan Gasik on June 21.

Casamenti, of Hawbeck Road, Park Wood, Rainham, also admitted robbing Max Recknell of £60 on June 3 and £905 on June 6, while Game, of Foxglove Close, Edenbridge, pleaded guilty to robbery of Charlie Sullivan on June 21.

Hall, 19, of Thorpe Avenue, Tonbridge, also pleaded guilty to the same two offences of wounding.

Stancu, 18, of George Street, Tonbridge, pleaded guilty to robbery of Mr Sullivan and attempted robbery of Mr Recknell, both on June 21.

In light of their pleas and having spent the last five months in custody, lawyers on behalf of Game, Hall and Stancu asked that they be granted bail.

But Judge Philip St.John-Stevens refused, saying it would be "unfair" to release them from custody, only to face the possibility of being locked up again when they return for sentencing.

His ruling means Game will not only celebrate Christmas behind bars but his 21st birthday on December 17 too.

All four defendants will be sentenced on February 7.