A GANG of thugs launched a terrifying attack on a teenage girl over an alleged £10 debt, a court heard.

Michael Taylor and Bradley Williams set upon the 17-year-old victim as she left a sheltered housing building, near to Southway, Colchester, Ipswich Crown Court heard yesterday.

The jury was told Williams took the victim in a headlock and held her against railings while Taylor took her mobile phone, bank card, keys and passport.

It is also alleged the victim's head was repeatedly thrown against the pavement by a 16-year-old girl.

Alison Ginn, prosecuting, said witnesses were only alerted to the attack after hearing the victim's screams.

Ms Ginn added: "At around 8.25pm on November 10 she was making her way from Bernard Brett House to Colchester town centre.

“In order for her to do that she had to cross a subway.

“When she reached that subway she was set upon by the defendants.

“It was Taylor, who also lived at Bernard Brett House, who ran up to her claiming she owed him £10 and punched her in the forehead.

“After being struck by Taylor, Bradley Williams wrapped her round the neck and held her over the railings of the subway, using his knees to jam her against the railings.

"Taylor took her phone, bank card, keys and passport."

The jury were told after the victim was pushed to the floor, a 16-year-old girl began banging her head on the pavement a number of times.

Ms Ginn told the court a witness was making his way home from work when he heard the victim’s screams.

She added: “As he got closer to the subway he started to see what was happening.

“He saw Williams holding her to the railings.

"The witness asked what was going on and Williams said she was a thief who had stolen £10 from them.

“He saw her taken to the ground by the 16-year-old defendant and it was there that she hit her head on the pavement repeatedly.

“The witness, seeing this, went right up to the group and with that Williams and Taylor left, but the 16-year-old girl carried on the attack.

"Afterwards, the witness helped the victim up, she was very upset, she told him her phone and bank card had been stolen."

“She told him she lived nearby at Bernard Brett house, he walked her home.”

The police were contacted and Taylor was arrested.

Williams was later arrested.

Both deny robbery and assault causing actual bodily harm.

A 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named by law, has admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

The victim said she knew Williams and the 16-year-old girl from her time on the streets and days before the attack they had shared a taxi together.

She was also acquainted with Taylor, as they were neighbours, but denied being friends with any of the accused or owing Taylor any money.

The trial continues