A Woodford Green teenager who robbed a taxi driver to impress his mates was told to “grow up” by a court judge on Friday.

George Pike, of Roding Lane North, threatened to kill Mohammed Naeem unless he handed over his iPhone 4.

Judge Recorder Thomas Weitzman QC suspended his one year prison sentence for 18 months but ordered him to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Hollybush Hill.

Pike, 18, got out of his friend’s car and accosted Mr Naeem as he was walking home in Horns Road, Barkingside, on March 30.

He fled the scene but was caught out after police found his DNA on the straw from a McDonald’s cup he launched at his victim.

Pike initially denied robbery but changed his plea on the second day of his trial.

Mr Weitzman said: “You say you wanted to act big in front of your friends.

“What you have done is actually small in front of society and your family.

“You need to grow up.”

Defending solicitor James Gray said Pike had led a “sheltered and spoilt life” and was not a “tough guy”.