Flick knife robber who terrified two schoolboys is locked up for four years

Daniel Keats struck while the 15 year olds were shopping in Walsall.

The 21 year old, with 17 previous convictions for 26 separate offences, including two street robberies, followed the pair into an alleyway behind shops in the town centre and told them to hand over their phones on May 31, said Mr David Lees, prosecuting, at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Keats then 'reinforced' the order by pulling out a flick knife with a four-inch blade, continued the lawyer, who said: "Both boys were very frightened and did as he demanded."

Soon afterwards the defendant also threatened an 18-year-old shopper who was forced to give up his wallet containing around £65 cash, the court heard.

By coincidence, shortly before the crime spree, Keats had been stopped by a policeman in the town centre in connection with an unconnected inquiry and had given the officer his name and address.

CCTV of the street robberies, recovered in June, was later reviewed by the police officer involved who recognised the defendant, revealed Mr Lees.

Keats was arrested on July 20 and later picked out at an identity parade by both of the schoolboys involved.

Mr Jasvir Mann, defending, claimed that the life of Keats had 'fallen apart' after he lost his job and was forced to leave his accommodation as debts started to pile up in April. He then 'did what he used to do' and returned to crime, concluded the lawyer.

Keats from Ingram Road, Blakenall, Walsall, pleaded guilty to robbery, theft and possession of a knife while asking for a further street robbery, during which cash was stolen on April 23, to be taken into consideration.

He was jailed by Recorder Stephen Thomas who told him: "These 15-year-old boys - doubtless deliberately targeted by you - must have been petrified when faced with that knife. You have an appalling record, have engaged in street robbery before and on one of those occasions was also in possession of a flick knife."