A pair of teenagers who stabbed a 17-year-old boy on a bus in Thornton Heath have been jailed for up to 13 years.

Shomari Davis, 18, and a 17-year-old accomplice knifed the boy three times during an attempted robbery on a N109 night bus in London Road.

Police said the victim, who suffered significant blood loss, could have died had the stabbing not happened near to Croydon University Hospital.

He had boarded the bus, which was travelling towards Croydon town centre, with friends at 12.20am on Sunday, April 27. 

Shortly after they got on Davis and Jaipaul, 20, of Mitcham Road, Croydon, who was a friend of the two attackers, began harassing the group, sparking a confrontation. 

Davis and the 17-year-old attacker, who cannot be identified because of his age, demanded the victim's phone and began rifling through his pockets.  

When their victim attempted to run from the bus, they stabbed him twice in the leg before knifing him in the shoulder as he went down the stairs.

Detective Constable James Marland, of Croydon police, said: "The two deep wounds to the victim's leg meant that he suffered significant blood loss and had the offence not by pure chance happened almost directly outside Croydon University Hospital we could have been dealing with something even more serious."

After the stabbing, Davis ran from the bus and threw the knife under a nearby car. He was arrested on July 23 after being forensically linked to the weapon.

The 17-year-old, identified by detectives on CCTV footage, was arrested on May 17 following a long foot chase after being spotted on the street by officers.

Jaipaul, a friend of the two attackers, was arrested on June 26 on suspicion of affray.

Davis, of Clifford Road, South Norwood, and the 17-year-old were each found guilty of wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon and attempted robbery on November 20 following a nine-day trial at Croydon Crown Court. 

The 17-year-old was jailed for 13 years on Friday, while Davis was jailed for eight years. Jaipaul was jailed for nine months for affray.

DC Marland said: "This was a complex investigation as, aside from the victim, no witnesses would make statements.

"I would like to pay tribute to the victim for his bravery in attending court and giving evidence, ensuring that justice was done.

"There is no doubt that the streets of Croydon will be a much safer place with these three behind bars".