A 17-year-old teenager has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after a frightening robbery at knifepoint involving a mother and her 10-week-old baby. The sentencing took place at Bolton Crown Court following an incident on 1 November 2022.
The unnamed teen targeted the young mother in the car park of a GP surgery on Mytham Road, Little Lever. Armed with a machete-style blade, he demanded the keys to her Seat Cupra. The victim and her family were left shaken by the brazen attack.
After stealing the car, the teenager crashed it on Great Western Street, colliding with a lamp post and three other vehicles. Three people were inside the car at the time and fled the scene immediately after the crash.
During a police search of the teenager’s home, officers seized a machete, holster, extendable baton, gloves, a phone, and car keys. The teenager now faces multiple charges including robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, possession of a bladed article in public, drug offences, possession of a prohibited weapon in private, fraud by false representation, and breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
Detective Sergeant Carla Deighton from Bolton district commented, “We are pleased with this outcome. This was an extremely distressing ordeal for the victim. Thanks to the victim’s courage and the swift action of officers, this dangerous individual is off our streets. Knife crime is a serious threat, and we won’t tolerate anyone carrying weapons in public.”
The arrest is part of Greater Manchester Police’s recent Operation Sceptre, which resulted in the recovery of 123 knives and 74 arrests for knife-related crimes in one week. Over 50 anti-knife sessions were held, reaching thousands of pupils across Greater Manchester to raise awareness about the dangers of carrying blades.
Police urge anyone who suspects someone is armed to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111. Removing knives from the streets saves lives.
Originally published by UKNIP.
