Two men have been jailed for a combined 10 years and nine months for their parts in knife-point robberies across Nottingham.
Thomas Pickering, 22, of no fixed address, and Joshua Barker, 22, of Kyle View, Top Valley, were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday, November 25.
At around 10.15pm of August 4, a man was walking home from work in Bulwell when he was approached from behind by Pickering and another man who were on mountain bikes.
After blocking the man’s path, they demanded he hand over his phone and asked if he had any cash. The victim handed over three five pound notes.
Earlier that night, just before 8.30pm, Pickering and Barker tried to rob another man who was walking along Sherbrook Road, Daybrook.
Barker was stood in front of him, pointing a knife towards the victim's stomach. He asked the man if he had any money. The victim ran off and called the police.
The following day (August 5) another victim reported he had been robbed at knife-point while he was sat on a bench in Vernon Park, Basford.
Pickering and Barker were stood in front of him on mountain bikes. Pickering, who was pointing a knife towards the victim, demanded he give them everything he had.
He handed over his phone before the pair rode off.
The victim wasn’t injured during the incident but was left shaken.
Pickering pleaded guilty to two charges of robbery and two charges of possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for four years and nine months.
Barker pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery, attempted robbery and two charges of possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Detective Constable Matthew Butler said: "Nottinghamshire Police treats knife crime and robbery extremely seriously.
"We have our own dedicated knife crime and robbery teams to help tackle these issues. They are part of the reason we are now putting more people before the courts and taking offenders off the streets for weapon-related offences.
"Having a dedicated robbery team also enables offences from different locations to be linked and investigated as a series.
"The force is working with partners to tackle all aspects of knife crime through education, engagement and enforcement activity.
"However, enforcement is only one side of the efforts that go into trying to reduce knife crime which is a national societal issue.
"To achieve a long term reduction we continue to work with partners and the community to help educate young people and stop them picking up a knife in the first place.
"We have invested in introducing Schools and Early Intervention Officers into schools across Nottinghamshire, who speak to young people about issues including violence and knife crime."
