Stab threat to social worker

11 October 2006

TWO teenage yobs who tried to mug a social worker have been locked away for 18 months.

Tesfaye Smith was surrounded by six youths and told he would be stabbed if he did not hand over his mobile phone.

But brave Mr Smith simply shoved the yobs aside and ran away after the attempted robbery on Crystal Palace Parade, Crystal Palace.

Two members of the gang, Dayo Martin, 20, of Lethbridge Close, Lewisham, and Daniel Olugbosun, 15, of Abbey Street, Southwark, were snared nearby by patrolling police, Inner London Crown Court heard.

Martin tried to escape by scaling a wall but was caught.

The pair, who both have a string of convictions for robbery and violence, claimed they were not involved in the incident. But a jury convicted them both of attempted robbery. Passing sentence Recorder Eldred Tabachnik, QC, told Olugbosun: "Mr Smith pushed you out of the way and ran into the middle of the road and you shouted: 'I'm going to stab you', or words to that effect.

"Mr Smith knew that if you got him he would be seriously injured. Your offence is on any account a serious one."

The court heard the 15-year-old has been diagnosed with 'behavioural, emotional and social difficulties', but has resolved to improve himself by becoming a Muslim. The judge said custody was inevitable.

Olugbosun and Martin were both given 18 months in a Young Offenders' Institute less up to 258 days spent on remand.

ktneditorial@archant.co.uk