Man jailed over Blackpool mobile bus robbery from boy, 15

10:02am Friday 4th July 2008

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A man who carried out a robbery on board a double decker bus had created an "aura of terror", a court has heard.

Stuart Boys demanded a 15-year-old boy hand over his mobile phone, otherwise he would smash his head through a window.

His parting shot to his victim was "If you grass, I'll come and stab you up".

Boys, 22, formerly of Horsebridge Road, Blackpool, pleaded guilty to robbery.

He was given 21 months prison, to be added onto the custodial term he is already serving for other offences.

Boys was 21 at the time of the robbery on a Saturday afternoon in August.

Two boys, both 15, had boarded a bus in the Lytham Road/Manchester pub area of St Annes to go shopping in Blackpool and sat at the back, on the top deck.

Boys and his friend sat close by and initially, there was no anxiety.

But Boys went on to say something that caused concern, that he was 'coming down', having been on pills the previous evening.

He lit a cigarette and asked the youth for the time.

The boy took out his mobile phone, to check the time and Boys went on to say, "Give me your phone".

Mr Roger Baldwin, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court said: "He threatened him that he would smash his head through the bus window if he didn't give it over.

"He put a hand into his jacket pocket and thrust it forward as if to indicate he had a knife".

The boy asked for his SIM card and the phone was briefly returned to him for him to get it.

The defendant asked the second boy for his phone, but he refused.

Mr Baldwin added: "The defendant's parting shot was 'if you grass I'll come and stab you up'".

The boys immediately reported what had happened to transport authorities and Boys was identified from CCTV footage on the bus.

He had previous convictions for wounding and robbery.

In January this year he was given 27 months prison for a burglary that took place four days after the robbery.

Miss Rachel Woods, defending, said it was the first time he had served time in an adult prison and it had had a significant impact on him.

There were signs he was maturing.

Miss Woods said the robbery was unplanned and no doubt had been committed to impress the friend he was with.

However, it had not involved any weapon or violence.

Judge Anthony Russell QC told Boys the robbery had involved bullying behaviour, taking advantage of a younger boy.

"You did create an aura of terror and fear.

"You threatened to use violence or to stab the boy concerned".

The judge acknowledged: "You have done a great deal in the last few months, while in prison, to try and put things right for yourself".