Charlie Crookes, 23, of Norwich Drive, Bevendean, Brighton, and Anthony Kirsten, 45, of Hillside, Southwick, have been sentenced for a violent robbery that occurred in Brighton.
The incident took place on December 6 last year when Crookes and Kirsten targeted a man walking along The Avenue, Bevendean. The victim sought refuge in a nearby shop, but the assailants followed him inside. There, they assaulted him with a bottle and threatened him with a knife, leaving him both shaken and injured.
Both men pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article during their appearance at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, June 7.
Crookes, in addition to robbery and possession charges related to the incident, admitted several other offenses including making threats with a knife, theft of bicycles, and possession of cocaine. He received a total prison sentence of seven years, with a requirement to serve a minimum of two-thirds before being eligible for parole. The court also imposed an additional three-year extended sentence for his license period.
Kirsten, who also admitted robbery and possession of a bladed article, faced charges of aggravated vehicle taking and driving without valid insurance. He was sentenced to five years and four months in prison and received a three-year and nine-month driving disqualification.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Lewis Palfrey from Brighton CID said: “Crookes and Kirsten carried out an appalling and unprovoked attack on the victim.
“The incident in Bevendean has had a profound and lasting impact on the victim.
“From our investigation we were able to identify Crookes and Kirsten as the suspects and they were arrested.
“It demonstrates our determination to get justice for victims of crime, and to catch dangerous offenders to take them off our streets.”
