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Phone robber arrested after he gave victim his own mobile
Justin Davenport, Crime Correspondent28 Oct 2008
A ROBBER was arrested after he gave his mobile phone to one of his victims as compensation for a phone he had just stolen.
Eneas Tanyongana was jailed for six months after his action handed his identity to police on a plate.
A court heard how the 21-year-old threatened and robbed his 16-year-old victim on board a train between Ware and Rye House station in Hertfordshire in March.
The robber approached the teenager and demanded he hand over his mobile phone, threatening to stab him if he didn't.
Detective Constable Jon Pine, of British Transport Police's Robbery Squad, said: "The boy was obviously very scared and handed over the phone without argument. When the boy asked what he was supposed to do without a phone, Tanyongana decided to hand over his own phone, complete with contact details and photos."
Tanyongana, of Harlow, was arrested within hours. He was also identified on CCTV committing two other robberies on trains in Hertfordshire. He pleaded guilty at Luton crown court to two counts of robbery and one of attempted robbery.
Reader views (6)
Whatever happened to the Master Criminal Mind?
- Jane, London, 28/10/2008 15:18
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He threatened to stab the victim. If we're to believe that carrying a knife now incurs an automatic 5yr sentence, shouldn't threatening to stab incur the same, if not more?
In California, would this have counted as the 'three strikes and you're out' rule?
- Scott, London, 28/10/2008 13:12
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"He was also identified on CCTV committing two other robberies on trains in Hertfordshire"
So let's get this straight, 3 armed robberies and gets 6 months, oops, I forgot that the police downgrade crime to make their figures look better.
- Bob, Cheam, 28/10/2008 10:58
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Should have got 20 for being an imbecile
- Gazza, england, 28/10/2008 10:53
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Adam, that isn't getting tough.
He should be flayed publicly, for arrogance and stupidity.
And the flayer should be the 16-year-old victim and his family.
Not banged up inside at the expense of the taxpayer and told he can't have a phone.
- Paul, London, 28/10/2008 10:44
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He should have got 10 years and been banned for life from owning a mobile phone. Get tough on the criminals.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 28/10/2008 09:53
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