A teenager has admitted committing a violent robbery in Kingston last week, just three days after saying sorry for a gang robbery in New Malden.

The 15-year-old from Croydon, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Kingston Youth Court on March 24 to stealing a mobile phone and cash from a 13-year-old victim in Steadfast Road on Saturday, March 20.

Just five hours later he struck again, just 200 yards away, on Kingston Bridge, this time kicking a 15-year-old in the head and yelling “What have you got for me?”

The two incidents happened less than a week after the 15-year-old pleaded guilty to his part in a robbery outside New Malden station, where he and a gang of up to 15 youths stole a mobile phone and wallet from a 19-year-old man.

It was claimed the incidents were linked because on each occasion the defendant wore a red bandana, suggesting the attacks may have been part of the boy’s initiation into a street gang.

The 15-year-old said: “I feel really guilty for the boy and his parents because I tried to rob them.”

Kingston magistrate Rabbi Danni Rich said: “You said the same thing last time, didn’t you? If you carry on like this, you will go to prison.

“You have been criminal, stupid, violent and unpleasant.”

The teenager will be sentenced at Croydon Youth Court on April 14, before which he is banned from going to anywhere within the borough of Kingston.