10/11/2009

Salford College Thieves Jailed

Robbers who targeted students in Salford have been jailed for a string of offences.

Stephen Newbury, 18, of Ashley Street, Salford, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of robbery and one count of possession of an offensive weapon.

His co-accused, two 16-year-olds, each pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at an earlier hearing.

Newbury was jailed for four years eight months yesterday, the boys, who cannot be named because of their age, will serve an 18-month detention and training order.

Between December 2008 and March 2009, the three targeted young men studying at Pendleton College.

The offenders would try and befriend them as they were on their way home, asking them about their mobile phones, ipods and whether or not they liked smoking cannabis.

They would then punch their victims and say they had a knife if they did not hand their property over.

A victim of a robbery on 11 February, a 16-year-old boy, needed ten stitches in his mouth after being punched.

When Newbury was arrested on suspicion of three robberies, he admitted further offences.

Detective Sergeant Roger Smethurst said he hoped the convictions would send a positive message to students across Salford and Greater Manchester that police are working to protect them.

"It is really easy to make it hard for thieves by doing straightforward things, such as keeping valuables out of sight, always being aware of what's going on around you, keeping to well-lit areas," he said.

(PR/GK)

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