TWO teenage robbers who punched a priest in the face before fleeing with his MP3 player and less than £5 in change have been jailed.

The pair, aged 15 and 17, admitted attacking Father Kieren Mullarkey as he walked along a street in his dog collar and robes.

Even after he handed over his music player and £4.65 in coins, the youths continued to hit him before throwing his rosary beads into the gutter.

They were sent to young offenders institutions for a total of 20 months - 12 months for the 17-year-old and eight months for his accomplice.

Father Mullarkey, aged 30, had only moved to St Joseph's Church in Old Lane, Little Hulton, six months before the attack on Sunday night, November 26.

The priest, who was listening to music on his MP3 player, was approached in Coniston Avenue by the youths, who asked him for a cigarette.

When he handed one over, they attacked him, pinning him up against a wall and punching him while they rifled through his pockets.

Despite wearing his dog collar and telling them he was a priest, the thugs continued to batter him.

Father Mullarkey had to have hospital treatment for severe facial bruising and an injury to his right eye.

The pair pleaded guilty to robbery, said a spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service.