Two men will spend Christmas behind bars after carrying out a violent robbery on two teenagers.
The pair threatened to pour acid over the victims if they did not hand over cash.
They eventually made off with a cash card, pin number and a watch but were caught by police shortly afterwards, a court heard.
Mark Dean and Wayne Scotton both admitted two charges of robbery and were jailed for 21/2 years and three years respectively.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard they followed two 17-year-olds down Chelmer Valley Road, Chelmsford, just after 2am on July 31.
John Clifford, prosecuting, said they approached the youths and asked what was in their rucksack. When they found there was nothing to steal, they let them go but followed them.
The quick-thinking teen-agers called police and were approached by the men, who both live in Meadgate, Chelmsford, again.
The first boy was punched in face by both men, Mr Clifford said. Scotton then told him to get in a field before the second boy offered up his watch.
Scotton punched him in the face and took his watch, the court heard. Dean, 24, told the boys he had a tube full of acid and made threats with it.
Scotton then demanded a cash card and its Pin number from one of them, which Dean typed into his phone.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, December 5, 2005
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