Teenager robbed in city by youth who was on bail

A YOUTH who robbed another teenager in an alleyway while he was on bail for threatening a Coventry student with a sharpened chisel has been jailed.

Eyob Gebremarian had pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to charges of making a threat with a bladed article and robbery.

Gebremarian, 18, of Yardley Street, Hillfields, was sentenced to 20 months detention after Judge Sally Hancox observed that his first victim is now frightened to return to college.

Prosecutor Ian Speed said that at lunchtime on September 19 last year a young student was with a friend outside the south block of Coventry’s City College in Swanswell Street.

Gebremarian approached them, demanding to know what they were looking at, to which the youngster said he was just talking to his friend.

But Gebremariam threw a mock punch towards him, causing him to feel intimidated, and the student walked back towards the college.

He was followed by Gebremarian who opened a bag he was carrying to reveal a sharpened chisel, and threatened the student: “I’ll shank you up.” When Gebremariam was later arrested in the college grounds, he still had the chisel on him, said Mr Speed. Then in November a young teenager and a friend were in Coventry city centre when they were followed into a shop by a group of about seven older youths, including Gebremariam. They were again followed by the group when they left, and Gebremariam grabbed one of them by the wrist and took him into an alleyway, pushed him against a wall and he was ordered to hand over his jacket and jumper. The following day another teenager was accosted in a similar way in Trinity Street, and was pulled into an alleyway by Gebremariam, who told him: “I don’t want you to get banged, I just want your man bag.” The young victim handed it over after taking his phone out, but was then grabbed by another member of Gebremariam’s group and kneed to the face before being robbed of his jacket. Sentencing Gebremariam, Judge Hancox told him: “A chisel with a sixinch blade found its way into your bag. “The episode has left [the student] lonely and withdrawn, and now frightened to go to college because of what you did.”

The episode has left [the student] lonely and withdrawn, and now frightened to go to college because of what you did.

Ellis-Bextor, pictured right, are also on show. Stampex, which opened yesterday and continues until Saturday, is the UK’s largest philatelic event. The four-day brings together philatelists from around the world and enthusiasts who want to learn more...