A knifeman who "frightened the living daylights" out of two teenagers has been jailed for four years.
Raymond Ambrose, 28, poked a penknife into the chest of one youngster and robbed the other of £20.
Ambrose, of Newington Gardens, Southend, was with an accomplice who has never been traced, Basildon Crown Court heard.
The teenagers were accosted after one of them collected £20 from a cash-point machine in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, said Laureen Fleischmann, prosecuting.
Miss Fleischmann said: "The knife point left a small scratch on the chest, but the incident must have frightened the living daylights out of the two teenagers."
When police scientists later examined the penknife Ambrose's fingerprints were discovered.
He pleaded guilty to robbery and assault with intent to rob. He has previous convictions for theft, assaulting police, shoplifting, criminal damage and possessing drugs.
His barrister, Galega King, said Ambrose accepted it was a nasty offence and must have been a frightening ordeal for the young victims.
Mr King said Ambrose, who was not the prime mover in the robbery last April, was now remorseful and regretted the part he played.
The defendant had been drinking heavily and was on crack cocaine at the time of the incident, added Mr King.
Published Monday August 16, 2004
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article