A man who robbed two teenagers at knifepoint on a bus, threatening to 'cut them up', has been jailed for five years. Keaton Price targeted the two 15-year-olds on a service heading towards Sunderland city centre and took their phones after showing them a large knife in his waistband.
Threats and intimidation on the bus
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Price sat in front of the boy and girl but kept staring at them. Around 20 minutes into the journey, he stood up. The young victims noticed he seemed unsteady on his feet and slurring his words, and assumed he was drunk.
Prosecutor Saba Shan told the court: "He told the complainants he wanted their phones. One of them recalled the defendant stated 'we can do this the easy way or the hard way'."
Miss Shan added: "The defendant has then pulled up his top to reveal a long handle, six to seven inches, attached to a blade which ran into his waistband. The defendant mentioned 'cutting you up' and the pair, who were intimidated and frightened, handed the defendant their phones."
Blocked escape and arrest
The court heard Price pocketed the two phones and told the victims he was going to court next week and "didn't care what happened". Miss Shan continued: "At the next bus stop they tried to leave the bus to get away from him. He prevented them by blocking their path with his body, stating 'you are not getting off the bus because you are going to go and run to the police'."
Price left the bus at the next stop, and the victims called for help. He was caught when the victims spotted an Instagram account linked to him, posting about the stolen phones.
Impact and sentencing
In impact statements, the victims said their confidence and freedom had been affected and they both now avoid getting the bus. Price, 20, of Rosslyn Terrace, Sunderland, who has a criminal record including a serious assault, admitted two charges of robbery and one of having a bladed article.
Tony Cornberg, defending, said Price, who does not remember the incident, feels "regret, remorse and empathy". Mr Cornberg said Price had taken tablets known as "charge sheets" and added: "They take them then wake up in the police station wondering what they have been charged with." The court heard Price had a difficult upbringing and problems with substance abuse.
