Marcus Feeney was targeted by the mob as he paused for a smoke after leaving the Royal Tiger pub in Wednesfield High Street around 1am, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

He was approached by 18-year-old Callum Morris who asked for, and was given, a cigarette before ripping a gold chain from the neck of the victim who was told to run away as four more people gathered round him, said Mr Richard Gibbs, prosecuting.

The victim fled to Lichfield Street pursued by the gang who caught up with him on a canal bridge where his phone was stolen.

Mr Feeney was threatened with a knife but managed to escape again. He was so frightened he plunged into the canal and swam to the other side.

But when he emerged from the water they were waiting for him after cycling over the bridge, the court was told.

They searched his pockets and took a further £30 before finally deciding to leave him alone.

The victim later told police that the mob had behaved like 'a pack of wolves' during the near 15 minute ordeal, the court heard.

Morris, of Okement Drive, Wednesfield, and 19-year-old Joseph Arrow, of East Avenue, Wednesfield, were arrested, identified by Mr Feeney as being among those involved and both were convicted of the June 11 robbery following a trial.

Recorder Paul Atkinson, sentencing the pair to four years detention in a Young Offenders Institution, said: "This was an exceptionally serious offence."