TWO teenagers who used a BB gun and an iron bar in a terrifying robbery attempt were locked up for four years yesterday.

And after the court hearing, the pensioner shopkeepers the youths targeted were praised by police for their bravery after they fought back and foiled the attempted crime.

Newport crown court heard how the youths from Cwmbran covered their faces to terrify the owners of Osborne Stores on Two Locks Road, Cwmbran, into giving them goods and cash in the attempted robbery, which happened on June 6.

The youths, aged 15 and 16 and who cannot be named, had previously admitted attempted robbery.

Michael Jones, prosecuting, told the court that the youths entered Osborne Stores in the early evening of Junes 6, one wearing a 'Scream' mask, the other with his face covered by a scarf.

One of the youths pointed what was later found to be a BB gun at the head of shopkeeper Trevor Jones, 76 and demanded cash.

Mr Jones, who is partially deaf, could not hear what the youth said and shouted at them both to get out.

The other youth approached Mr Jones' partner of 27 years Gladys Osborne, 77 and threatened her with a 20 inch long metal bar.

At first, diabetic Miss Osborne thought the youth was joking and asked 'what can I get you?'

When she realised he was serious, she grabbed the bar from the youth, but he grabbed it back and left the shop. Mr Jones used force to remove the second youth, the court heard.

Michael Jones told the court the youths had joked about robbing a shop two days before, and targeted the store because the couple were old and vulnerable, and because they had no security or cameras.

Mr Jones told the court that Miss Osborne had hurt her right knee in the incident, which she had had replaced a number of years ago. He said she felt upset and stressed following the attack.

Mathew Roberts, defending the 15-year-old, said the defendant was of previous good character and said the attack showed "naivety with no thought for the consequences".

Hilary Roberts, defending the 16-year-old, said: "Some members of the public will be outraged by this incident.

"It was clearly a nasty ordeal." But he added his defendant was 'deeply remorseful' for the incident and was otherwise of good character and upbringing. Neither youths had any previous offences.

Judge David Wynn Morgan said the incident had had 'seismic and catastrophic consequences' for their families, and added: "Others who may be tempted as you were need to be deterred from carrying out such actions."

Their mothers wept as Judge Morgan sentenced them to four years each in youth custody.