TWO robbers petrified a teenager in a subway by pretending they had a knife and telling him they were called Ronnie and Reggie – a reference to the notorious Kray twins.

James Kent, aged 21, and 18-year-old John Nelson cornered Stephen Lockett in the Newcastle underpass late at night on March 16.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court the 19-year-old victim was on his way home to Knutton from his grandparents' house in Thistleberry.

"As he came out of the first subway he saw the defendants in a kebab shop," Mr Spratt said.

"They approached him and Kent asked him for a cigarette.

"Mr Lockett was on his bike and intended to ride away as he felt intimidated by them. One told him not to look at him and indicated he had a knife in his pocket. He placed his hand in his pocket as if he was reaching for a weapon."

The court heard there was no weapon but Mr Lockett believed they had one and became anxious.

"Nelson slapped him around the face and both men demanded money and his mobile phone.

"He handed over his items and one went through his wallet and took £15. He did not want to disclose where he lived. They said if he did not tell them they would take him to the woods and beat him with sticks.

"Kent was now riding Mr Lockett's bike. Mr Lockett saw two people outside the Dunkirk pub and ran in the pub shouting and crying hysterically."

Mr Spratt added: "The defendants exacerbated their threats by telling Mr Lockett they were called Ronnie and Reggie."

Both defendants pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing.

Jason Holt, defending Nelson, of Audley Road, Chesterton, said the robbery was not planned.

Stuart Muldoon, defending Kent, of no fixed address, conceded it was a serious offence and said the defendant was remorseful.

Judge Granville Styler sentenced both men to two years in custody. Nelson will serve his time in a young offenders' institution.

He told the pair: "I accept both of you are making efforts to rehabilitate yourselves and you have both shown some remorse for what happened."

Story filed in: Court | News