A GIRL accused of being the ringleader of a gang which carried out a violent Halloween robbery on four teenage boys has appeared in court.

The teenager, who sat next to her mother, allegedly brandished a knife during the attack on October 31 and is also accused of kicking two of the victims.

She did not enter a plea during the hearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where the prosecution outlined its version of events on October 31.

The attack is said to have taken place as the victims were walking along a secluded footpath close to Ridgeway School after leaving a Halloween party, in Wroughton.

Prosecutor Roxanne Cole said it appeared from the evidence that the girl was the ‘ringleader’ in a ‘pre-planned’ robbery where the gang wore balaclavas, hats and hoods.

She told the court: “The incident occurred in an alleyway in Wroughton.

“The victims were a similar age to the defendants involved, between 14 and 16.

“The defendants’ group had dog chains, a metal pole and there was also a knife with a six-inch blade.”

Rob Ross, defending the teenager, said: “There hasn’t been any indication of plea.

“She doesn’t accept there was a knife involved and quite rightly and properly at this stage she is making no indication.”

Three 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old appeared separately before magistrates, who were sitting as a youth court, and were also accompanied by relatives.

They also did not enter pleas.

Their solicitor, Con Fernandes, told the court none of his clients had seen a knife during the incident.

“For today’s purposes it will have to be no indication, the reason being they don’t accept the full facts, especially in respect of the weapon,” he said.

All the teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were bailed to face a joint charge of robbery at Swindon Crown Court on November 30.