Knife-wielding Telford robber who threatened schoolchildren is jailed

Jake Anderson was jailed for four years after a court heard he took phones from four people including schoolchildren on their way home.

He approached his terrified victims, producing the six-inch knife and telling them they would be stabbed if they did not hand over their valuables.

The spree began when Anderson, 23, approached a man and his girlfriend as they were walking along Warrens Way in Woodside, Telford, at night.

Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said: "He approached him and demanded his phone, saying he would get stabbed if he did not."

The man refused, fought him off and the couple escaped.

But the next afternoon Anderson held up two 14-year-old boys who were walking home from school along Silkin Way in Madeley.

One youngster handed his phone over and when the other said he did not have one, Anderson searched him.

Just five minutes later a 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl were also walking down Silkin Way when Anderson approached from behind on his bike and demanded their phones.

When asked why, Anderson produced a knife again and said: "This is why" before robbing them both.

Later that night he punched a woman in the face and chest before stealing her phone.

Anderson, of Princes Avenue, Madeley, stole two Blackberrys, a Samsung and an Apple iPhone in the spree in May.

Anderson had previously admitted two charges of attempted robbery and four charges of robbery as well as a charge of having the blade.

Judge Recorder Peter Cooke sentenced Anderson to four years in jail.