Pizza cutter robbery man is locked up

A robber has been jailed for five years for his part in an attack in which a teenager was threatened with a pizza cutter.

Ian Swinbourne was one of three raiders who tricked their way into the 17-year-old's flat in Cradley Heath.

His laptop, phone and bank cards were taken, and the terrified youngster was threatened with a pizza cutter and told he would be taken to withdraw cash.

Once outside, he managed to escape.

Along with Zoe Shaw, aged 25, and David Knott, 35, Swinbourne, 46, raided the 10th floor flat on July 18.

Mother-of-two Shaw tricked the victim into opening the door by claiming her boyfriend had beaten her up. Knott and Swinbourne, who were hiding, then pushed their way in.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday Swinbourne, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to five years in prison after previously pleading guilty to robbery.

Judge Martin Walsh said: "You were by far the oldest in this little enterprise, although I accept you did not commission the offence."

Earlier this month Shaw, of Wassell Road, Halesowen, admitted robbery and was sent to prison for 40 months.

Knott, of Station Road, Old Hill, admitted theft and robbery and was jailed for four years and four months.