A teenager was taken prisoner on a busy station platform, forced to travel by train to a cashpoint machine and robbed, a court heard yesterday.

The younger of two defendants, accused of false imprisonment and robbery, allegedly sent a text message from Epsom station saying they had "kidnapped some boy lol".

A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and Christopher Amirjani, 23, of no fixed abode, are standing trial at Blackfriars Crown Court.

Another man, who was 17 at the time of the offence, has previously pleaded guilty to robbery of an iPhone and £80 in cash during the rush hour on Friday, February 28.

Prosecutor Warwick Tatford said he was the "main man" and flashed a handle, which the victim assumed was a knife, on the train.

Just after 5pm the trio approached a 17-year-old boy at Epsom station and took him by train a cashpoint on the footbridge at Clapham Junction station.

Mr Tatford said: "He was forced to take out £80 and was taken on a train back the other way. He was kept prisoner by the three men for the best part of an hour."

He said the victim was taken on a crowded train back to Ewell West station where the others shared out the "pretty pathetic proceeds" from the robbery.

He said: "One of the sadnesses of this case is a nasty, frightening incident took place for a small amount of money."

At 5.19pm, the 17-year-old defendant standing trial allegedly sent a text message to his girlfriend saying: "We have kidnapped some boy lol. He’s taking us to a cashpoint in Clapham Junction.

She replied: "Who? Lol. How much dough has he got? You’re looking to get nicked."

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court that he was waiting for a train to meet friends in Wimbledon before going on to a family party in Chessington South.

He said the leader of the group, who has already pleaded guilty, tapped him on the shoulder and asked what kind of phone he had.

The victim said: "He sounded very angry and impatient...so I thought he obviously wants my phone, I will just tell him what phone I have got and hand it over if that’s what it comes to."

The court was shown CCTV footage of the scene which showed dozens of people walking past and waiting for their trains nearby.

Mr Tatford said that Mr Amirjani, like his accomplices appeared to be under the influence of drink and cannabis.

He said the victim said: "Take what you want, just don’t hit me."

Mr Tatford claimed Mr Amirjani replied: "Don’t worry mate. We ain’t going to touch you. We just want your stuff."

He said that the victim was forced to hand over the money and mobile phone on the return journey to Ewell West while surrounded by other commuters.

He said: "People look down at their phones, at their newspapers. They don’t really look up at what’s going on.

"They have no idea there was anything untoward going on."

In Ewell West, he said the victim was given back £20 he had on him, aside from the £80 withdrawn, as well as his mobile phone at the request of the younger defendant.

Mr Tatford said: "It has been a nice easy robbery..and there is a reward for good behaviour."

He said the two defendants in interviews have effectively put the blame on the third man who has already pleaded guilty.

Amirjani has a robbery conviction and the 17-year-old has been reprimanded for possession of cannabis in the past.

The case continues in front of Judge Daniel Worsley.