Ipswich: Eight Teens Sentenced After Knifepoint Robbery

27 July 2012, 15:33 | Updated: 27 July 2012, 15:40

Eight teenagers have been sentenced to over ten years detention after a pizza delivery man was robbed at knifepoint in Ipswich.

Five 17-year-old boys from Ipswich, Two girls aged 16 and 17 from Ipswich, and a 15 year old boy from Colchester were all found guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery.

The longest sentence that was given was 32 months detention, with three others receiving 24 months, and lesser sentences for the remaining offenders.

The case related to the robbery of a pizza deliveryman in Sallows Close, Ipswich on Friday 13 January. The man had attended an address after an order was placed, but on arrival the occupants of the property said they had not ordered the food. As the man left he was approached by the group of youths. One of the group produced a knife and demanded he hand over the pizzas.

The delivery driver put the bag of food on the ground and the offender picked them up and fled with the rest of the group down an alleyway towards Bramford Lane.

An investigation was conducted by the Ipswich Priority Crime Team, which is dedicated to investigating robberies and burglaries in the town, and resulted in the eight teenagers being charged in relation to the robbery.

Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Bernard Morgan said, "Today's sentencing is a culmination of the work put in by our team in Ipswich. We are working hard to tackle this type of crime in the town and across the county, and we are committed to finding those responsible.

"This case was particularly serious as it involved a knife. Being a victim of a robbery is extremely traumatic, and the use of a weapon makes it even more so. I hope this case serves as a warning to all that we will not tolerate knife crime of any kind and will pursue anyone who carries out this type of offence."