Four sentenced for street robbery

4 February 2011, 16:11 | Updated: 16 February 2011, 14:55

A man had drink thrown into his face and his jewellery stolen by four youths while walking down a street in Bedford.

Luton Crown Court heard how the gang, James Brown, 20, Ilole Bomolo, 19,  Chavaise Kumar 19 and a 16 year old were coming back from window shopping in the town centre, when they snatched a necklace from Ashley Robertson on the February 4 last year.

Kumar threw drink from a can of Fanta into Mr Robertsons face to distract him, while Bomolo took the necklace.

The gang were chased by Mr Robertson down a street but escaped.

They were later apprehended by police and taken into custody.

On Friday the four defendants -  Brown of Beaconsfield Street, Bomlo of  Kimble Drive Kumar Ashmead Road, Brick Hill and the 16 year old all from Bedford pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery.

Miss Sally Jackson defending Kuma told the court that the he threw the drink at the victim because he was feklt he was being intimidated.

She said: "He felt he was looking at him aggressively"

"He accepts what he did was wrong and deeply regrets being involved. He wants to try and change his lifestyle."

Mr Alessandro Di Francesco defending Bomolo told the court he now felt remorse for what he had done.

"He accepted being part of the group and anxious to have the matter dealt with."

Mr Bomolo who was allowed to address the judge from the witness box said "I snatched the chain that's about it"

When asked if there was a plan in place to commit the crime and what made him take the jewellery, the defendant replied "Thats not what happened at all."

" I saw the opportunity and I thought why not?"

Mr Richard Hutchings defending for James Brown told the court that the defendant had "a tendency to make unwise choices."

Mr Derek Johashen defending the 16 year said " He has a bright future ahead of him. He comes from a close knit family. He will learn from this experience and has learnt already."

Judge Michael Baker told the four defendants that they all played a role in "a slickly organised robbery in Bedford."

"You had your hoodies up. The robbery was clearly planned."

The judged sentenced Kumar to 15 months in a young offenders institute. Bolomo was sentenced to 14 months Brown for 16 months and the 16 year old was given a communtiy order during which he will be under the supervision of the probation service for the next 9 months.

The youth was told he will also be subject to a curfew for the next five weeks when he must remain a home between 8pm to 5am.