Teenagers guilty of killing student

Robert Gill tried desperately to escape the clutches of his attackers, who stole his wallet and mobile phone before throwing him into the Great Ouse River in Bedford, Luton Crown Court heard.

He was beaten like a "punchbag" during the attack, which left him so scared that he defecated.

Sean Downes, 18, and Thomas Luddington, 18, were found guilty of robbery, false imprisonment and murder. A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty of robbery, false imprisonment and manslaughter.

Robert, an engineering student, was on a night out with his brother when he was attacked in Bedford two days after Christmas.

Judge John Bevan QC said Luddington, who was 17 at the time of the attack, could expect to be detained at Her Majesty's pleasure, while Downes could expect a life term.

The judge said that before he sentenced the youths he wanted to find out about their family backgrounds after the court heard they had both been drinking cans of Stella Artois in front of their parents and grandparents.

The judge said he also wanted to find out how the 16-year-old youth, who was 15 at the time, was able to spend £170 on a round of drinks at a pub before the attack.

Judge Bevan QC said: "Both defendants drank a substantial amount of alcohol at home with their grandparents and parents before these offences took place.

"It does seem that the role of these families, of Downes's family and Luddington's family, is something I will have to know about."