Two teenagers will spend two years each behind bars after admitting robbing a student in broad daylight last month.
Reece Wilkin and Kieran Marley, both 19, admitted robbing their victim at the entrance to Seaham Town Park shortly after 6pm on April 21 this year. Wilkin also admitted fraud and possession of a knife.
Both were sentenced at Durham Crown Court for the offences. The men are believed to have known their victim, and watched him from a nearby bench before approaching him and threatening him with the knife.
The victim was shaken but unhurt, and dropped his bag and ran off into the park at this point. Wilkin and Marley briefly chased after him. Not long afterwards, the victim's bank card was used in two convenience stores.
Wilkin, of Seaham, was sentenced to two years and eight months in a young offenders’ institution. Marley, also of Seaham, was sentenced to two years and four months in a young offenders’ institution.
Det Const Dave Simms, of Durham Constabulary said: "This was a shocking incident, and terrifying for the victim who was thankfully unharmed. This type of crime can have long lasting effects so we hope now these two are behind bars where they belong, it will give the victim some comfort and allow him to move on with his life."
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