A man who held a knife to two terrified teenagers' throats was so drunk and drugged that he could not remember the attack, a court was told.

Jamie Bell, 22, of Mellow Purgess Close, Laindon, appeared at Basildon Magistrates' Court for sentencing after admitting robbing the boys.

He was jailed for three years, after Judge Philip Clegg heard of a history of drug abuse which began when he was just 11.

Noel Casey, prosecuting, said the two boys, aged 16 and 17, plus a 17-year-old friend, were walking along The Gore, Basildon, on July 9 when Bell pulled up in a red Mercedes and started a conversation.

After talking for a while, Bell showed the boys a five-inch knife and invited them to search the car for drugs.

He then ordered the 17-year-old friend to leave, and held the knife to the 16-year-old's chest - then his throat.

Bell then put the knife to the other boy's chest and throat, and took jewellery, mobile phones, cash and a cashpoint card before driving away.

The boys had memorised part of the registration number, and police arrested Bell at his home the next morning.

They found some of the jewellery and Bell's girlfriend brought the rest to the station later at his request.

Bell said he could not remember the assault, but was sorry.

Mr Casey said he had numerous convictions for theft and other offences, and had served time in prison.

Christopher Paxton, defending, said Bell - who has sons aged two and just six weeks - had a "dreadful" background and started using and selling drugs in Scotland aged 11.

By the time he was 14 he was part of a gang and had received death threats, he said.

Bell suffered from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder but now had a stable relationship and hoped to overcome his problems with drink and drugs, he added.

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