A man carried out a terrifying robbery in Durham city centre and held a kitchen knife to his victim's throat before stealing £20.
Jordan Gibson demanded money from a man while holding a large knife to his neck, before taking off with the victim's cash. The 27-year-old carried out the "blatant" crime on October 11 this year, but was captured after being identified on CCTV. But merely days after the robbery, Gibson was found in possession of another knife by police and was arrested again.
Gibson, of The Wynd, Pelton, Chester-le-Street, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Tuesday via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for robbery with a bladed article and possession of a blade. He had pleaded guilty to the offences at a previous hearing.
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The court heard that shortly before 7.30pm, Gibson was in possession of a "large knife" in Durham city centre, before robbing a young man he had "targeted due to his vulnerabilities". Claire Anderson, prosecuting, said: "The defendant held a kitchen knife to the man's throat and demanded £20. The incident was caught on CCTV and the footage was recorded. The defendant was identified by his mum who contacted police."
Ms Anderson said that Gibson was released on bail, but days later on October 16, an officer was speaking to him in Blackhall Colliery and found a small knife in his jacket pocket during a search. Gibson, who had four previous convictions for four offences, said he had the knife on him as he was going to self-harm.
Chris Morrison, defending, said Gibson had expressed remorse and "wishes to apologise right here and now" after committing the robbery out of desperation. He said: "He is fortunate on his behalf that in connection with this matter there was no physical injury caused. It was out of character in a very real way and there is no suggestion he targeted anyone and there was no planning involved. The victim was unknown to him."
Mr Morrison added that Gibson had suffered with his mental health before the robbery and was a "devoted father" to his disabled child. He added: "He was in arrears in his rent and unable to make ends meet and borrowed money from people you really shouldn't. The robbery was committed out of desperation and with the money he got he planned to get something to eat."
Sentencing Gibson, Judge James Adkin said he committed "blatant criminality on the streets of Durham city centre" and jailed him for 33 months.
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