Three 16-year-old boys will face trial for allegedly using a fake gun to rob people last month.

Two Surbiton youths and another from Kingston, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Kingston Magistrates’ Court on February 17 and were told they would face a jury trial at Kingston Crown Court next month.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had previously claimed in court that an imitation handgun was passed between the defendants in a bid to steal cash and mobile phones from 14- to 17-year-olds.

Carmel Ashby, from the CPS, said: “One of the defendants was holding a black handgun. The victims suffered a terrible ordeal.

“The gun was transferred between the parties while the robbery was taking place. There was no cash, but when the gun was held to one boy’s neck they offered to go home and get some.”

One of the youths was denied bail and must remain in secure accommodation until the completion of the trial at Kingston Crown Court, where the defendants will be able to enter a plea, on March 16.