YOUTHS who smashed up a corner store after staff refused to let them use the telephone have been given community sentences.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Daniel Heap, James Taylor and a 16-year-old youth attacked the Costcutter shop in Church Street, Little Lever, after getting into a confrontation with a shop assistant on the evening of October 12 last year.

Juliet Berry, prosecuting, told how 20-year-old Daniel Heap entered the shop first wanting to use a phone to call for a taxi.

When he was refused he went outside to where 24-year-old Taylor and the youth were waiting.

All three went back inside the shop where they claimed they had money to pay for the call and Heap later admitted he raised his voice.

When Taylor picked up a bottle off the shelf a member of staff hit him over the head. Bottles were knocked off a shelf and the three youths left.

"Angered by what happened, they caused damage outside the shop and smashed windows and the door," said Miss Berry.

Police arrived and they were arrested and initially charged with robbery, but subsequently pleaded guilty to affray.

The 16-year-old was sentenced to a six month referral order by Manchester Youth Court.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Heap, of Hamilton Street, Bury, has seven previous convictions, including some for violence, but has recently become a father and is making attempts to change his behaviour.

Taylor, of Thrush Drive, Bury, has 26 previous convictions, including some for assault and public order offences.

Judge Richard Gioserano described their offending at Costcutter as "glorified criminal damage".

Heap was sentenced to a community order for 12 months with 110 hours unpaid work and 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

The judge told Taylor he was not as confident as he was with Heap about him changing his life.

"You waste your time getting into trouble," he told Taylor.

And he added that he was "fortunate" to also be given a community sentence for 12 months.

As part of the sentence Taylor must do 80 hours unpaid work and participate in 20 days of rehabilitation activities.