THREE teenagers face jail after admitting their part in a stabbing near Trowbridge Tesco.

The boys aged 16 and 17 at the time of the February attack, had arranged to meet two drug dealers in Biss Meadows.

The dealers believed the teens wanted to buy drugs. But the they actually planned to rob the pair of their money and drugs.

During the robbery both the men were stabbed.

Ethan Bush, 18, of Chesterfield Road, Mansfield, and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named because he is under-18 pleaded guilty to armed robbery with a knife and the 17-year-old pleaded guilty to robbery.

A 16-year-old, who also cannot be identified, had previously pleaded guilty to charges of grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery and possession of a bladed weapon.

All three were remanded in custody to be sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on December 16.

Det Cons Becky Taylor said: “We know that this case caused understandable concern amongst the local community in Trowbridge.

“We hope that this successful conviction brings some reassurance that the police are working hard to solve these crimes and bring offenders to justice.

“This investigation is particularly shocking due to the young age of the three defendants.”

Det Sgt Ted Rowe of Melksham CID added: “This was not a random attack. It was targeted specifically against people that the trio knew to be selling drugs, and there is nothing to suggest there was any risk to the wider community.

“However, the level of violence that these three teenagers were willing to engage in is extremely worrying.”

Knife crime has remained relatively level across the county. However, the number of knifepoint robberies has soared.