Stab threat robber is sent to jail
ATHUG who stole a train passengers’s phone containing pictures of his seriously-ill daughter has been jailed.
It was one of a pair of mobiles Keith Cross, of Rochdale, took after threatening to stab two men on a train in Merseyside.
Detectives say the attacks left both victims ‘fearing for their lives’.
Despite police efforts the two phones have never been recovered.
The 25-year-old, of Curzon Road, Kirkholt, has now been jailed after pleading guilty two counts of robbery at Liverpool Crown Court.
Cross approached his first victim on a train heading towards New Brighton at about 10.30pm on November 27 last year, demanding he hand over his phone and wallet or he would stab him. The 27-yearold victim gave Cross his phone and £10 in cash.
Cross then moved down the train and approached his second victim.
Pulling the man’s earphones out, he threatened to stab him unless he also gave him his phone. The victim handed over the mobile and Cross ran off the train at Birkenhead North station.
Following a British Transport Police media appeal, which featured CCTV images of Cross, he was identified by members of the public and arrested.
Investigating officer Det Con Ian Henderson said: “Both Cross’ victims were left shaken and feared for their lives as they genuinely thought they would be stabbed if they refused his demands. “Despite no knife being produced, Cross’ aggression and threats of violence were enough to cause the victims to hand over expensive phones.
“One of those phones contained photographs of the victim’s daughter, who was at the time seriously ill in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
“Sadly despite our best efforts, neither phones have been retrieved.
“Cross’ sentence reflects the severity of his crime and should give him time to contemplate his actions.”
Cross was jailed for a total of four years and three months due to a previous breach of licence.