Robbery gang's child victims pistol-whipped and hit with machete

A CREW of violent teenage thugs spread terror as they stalked the streets targeting school children in a terrifying armed robbery spree.

- AMY WALKER

Harley Whipday and Nia Razawa, both 20 and five 17-year-old boys - who cannot be named for legal reasons were involved in 'planned' attacks of boys as young as 13 as they made their way home from lessons.

Often wearing balaclavas and with their hoods up, the gang prowled before setting upon young victims. Armed with machetes, knives and BB guns, they were a fearsome outfit. In one attack, a child was 'pistol-whipped!

In another, a lad's torso was slashed with a machete. One teenager was put in intensive care after being left with a severe skull fracture, bleeding on the lung, bleeding on the spleen and a broken eye socket. He was left 'unrecognisable to his family - and had to learn how to walk again.

The tearaways approached kids and demanded their phones during one rampage, before selling the devices at shops in Cheetham Hill.

One victim was described as 'broken' following his ordeal. In another attack, three members targeted a group of children in Salford they believed belonged to a rival gang.

They attacked a boy standing nearby - who wasn't with the group with a machete, leaving him a large wound to his chest. In another incident, they hit two boys on scooter and bike with a stolen car. One was left in intensive care.

They have now finally faced justice following a series of hearings at Minshull Street Crown Court. Mug shots of Whipday and Razawa have been released by Greater Manchester Police.

The five 17-year-olds - referred to as Boy A, B, C, D and E - cannot be identified by law as they are under 18. Videos and pictures were found on Boy A's phone by cops on GMP's Operation Valiant team. They suggested he had a 'long-standing interest' in weapons.