‘Totally out of control’ teen sentenced to more than two years in youth detention after Cambridge knifepoint robbery

A “totally out of control” teen has been sentenced to more than two years in detention for a knifepoint robbery in Cambridge.

Police received several 999 calls from concerned members of the public reporting teenagers fighting with a large kitchen knife at Cherry Hinton Recreation Ground last month.

The 16-year-old boy from Cambridge, who can’t be named for legal reasons, and an accomplice of the same age, had robbed another boy of his e-bike at about 6.25pm on 2 April.

The victim, a 15-year-old boy, had been riding his e-bike when he was approached by the two teenage boys, with the main offender armed with the knife.

He used the knife to enforce the robbery and attempted to stab the victim.

The victim got off his bike and began wrestling with him in a bid to get hold of the knife.

After a scuffle and minor injuries to his face, abdomen and hands, the victim ran off with the knife and discarded it in a nearby bush while he sought help from members of the public.

Meanwhile, the second teenager, from Little Shelford, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, rode off on the e-bike.

The incident was filmed by a member of the public and the two teenagers were identified and arrested the following day.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday (21 May), the first boy, from Cambridge, was sentenced to two years and four months in youth detention after pleading guilty to robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.

The second teenager, 16, from Little Shelford, was given a two-year youth rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to robbery.

He must attend 10 reparation sessions and will be under a curfew between 6pm and 7am daily for six months.

Sentencing the main offender, Judge Andrew Hurst said the only way to be confident that he might “see sense” was through a period of custody.

He described his actions as “wholly reckless with a highly dangerous weapon”. He said the boy was “totally out of control” and “old enough to know what you are doing and make choices”.

The second teenager was also described as “out of control” but given a “last chance” as he did not have a history of offending.

Det Con Antonio Fernandez said: “This incident happened in broad daylight in a busy area of Cambridge with many people around. It was a miracle the victim was not seriously hurt or gravely injured.

“This case highlights the dangers of carrying a knife. Young people may think it makes them feel more secure, part of a group or somehow gives them protection but the reality is that one wrong move or decision could end a life.

“The message is clear that knives ruin lives. Do not carry weapons, do not carry knives.”