TWO men have been convicted of attempting to abduct two young brothers.

Aram Younis, aged 23, and Hassan Meshedi, aged 31, tried to entice the two brothers, aged eight and 10, into their car.

Liverpool Crown Court heard during the trial that the boys declined the offer as they left Crankwood Park in Abram, and ran home to tell their mother.

Younis, of Irvine Street, Leigh, and Meshedi, of Chapel Street, Leigh, who were helped by a Kurdish Iranian interpreter, represented themselves during their trial.

Anthony O'Donohoe, prosecuting, told the jury the incident happened on July 13. As the boys were walking along Crankwood Road, a light blue Renault Clio approached from the opposite direction. It was driven by Meshedi and Younis was the passenger.

Mr O’Donohoe said: “Younis said through the open passenger window, ‘Do you want to come in this car?’ The boys replied, 'No, we don’t know you’.

“Younis said, ‘Come on boys, it’s only a ride’. In that moment the older boy pulled his brother back and both boys ran home.”

They immediately complained to their mother, who called police.

Officers later detained the men, in Plank Lane, Abram. When arrested they claimed they had not spoken to any boys.

The older boy picked out Meshedi on a video ID parade as the driver.

Younis and Meshedi denied attempted abduction, but a jury found them guilty.

The men were remanded in custody to await sentence on January 16.