THE teenage leader of a “feral” gang has been locked up.

Jason Wilding, aged 17, led a gang who attacked a vulnerable 15-year-old boy at a bus stop for just five pound coins.

Sending him to a detention centre for 12 months, Judge Steven Everett said the violent youth was part of the “blight on society”.

Judge Everett said: “You understand the comment ‘feral youths’, groups who so often blight our society by grouping together, hanging around street corners and if someone comes across them they cause trouble.

“You and your mates have been part of that for some time and it is clear to me you are a bit of a ringleader.”

Wilding was part of a gang that attacked the vulnerable 15-year-old in Chorley Old Road, Bolton, at 10.50pm on April 19. Bolton Crown Court heard that Wilding frisked the boy and threatened to beat him up.

He was pushed to the ground and was kicked by another member of the gang, the court heard.

They got away with £5 from the youngster.

The court was told that the boy was studying for his GCSEs at the time, and that he has now become clingy to his mother and is afraid to go out.

Wilding, of Tavistock Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to robbery.

Charlotte Holland, defending, told the court that his is intelligent and has benefited from time spent at the young offenders institute in Hindley.

“He is a hard-working young man and he is very bright. The youth offending team has hope for him.”

The court heard Wilding has numerous previous convictions dating back to 2007 and the judge described his record as appalling.

It includes disorderly behaviour, thefts, criminal damage, theft from a motor vehicle, theft from a person, intimidating witnesses, handling stolen goods, common assault, threatening behaviour, possession of a bladed article, and he had an ASBO.

The court heard that he has suffered tragedies in his life, including the death of his father.

Sentencing Wilding to a 12-month youth detention and training order, which started yesterday and did not include the time spent in custody, Judge Everett said: “You played the leading role in that robbery. It must have been a frightening experience for him.

“He was approached by a group of yobs and threatened with violence and money was stolen from him.

“The fear and lack of dignity and respect and unpleasantness of it could live with him for a long time.”