The pair have been sentenced to a combined six years and ten months
Two balaclava-clad men who robbed a teenage brother and sister at knifepoint are now behind bars. The pair have been sentenced for a combined total of more than six years, Humberside Police said.
Ben Sharp, 20, and Dawson Phillips-Burns, 22, were sentenced on Friday, three years after carrying out the robbery at a bus stop in Hull. Police were called on the evening of August 18 2022 by a 16-year-old girl, reporting that she and her 18-year-old brother had been robbed as they waited at a bus stop on Tilbury Road in Hull.
A silver Ford Focus had pulled up in front of the siblings, with two men inside wearing balaclavas. Phillips-Burns got out of the passenger side and approached the girl’s brother, demanding he hand over his belongings while trying to rip his bag from his shoulder.
Sharp, who was driving the car and armed with a knife, asked his accomplice to hurry before approaching the brother, pushing him to the ground before taking his bag and phone. The pair then got back in the car and fled the scene.
Humberside Police said officers from the Armed Response Unit, Roads Policing Unit and Dog Section were deployed immediately. The force said the vehicle was briefly chased until it was found abandoned on Elgar Road.
Sharp and Phillips-Burns were arrested shortly after returning to the vehicle, where Phillips-Burns was found to be in possession of the 18-year-old man’s bank card. A search of the car also uncovered the teenager’s stolen wallet, a bag of metal ball bearings, and a knife with a 12cm blade.
Forensic testing was carried out confirming Sharp’s fingerprint on the blade. Both men were later charged with their offences and pleaded guilty following an appearance at Hull Magistrates Court.
Sharp, 20, of Pelham Road, Immingham pleaded guilty to robbery and has been sentenced to two years and four months behind bars. Phillips-Burns, 22, of Alden Close, Immingham, pleaded guilty to robbery and has been sentenced to four years and six months in jail.
Detective Constable Ross Patterson, who led the investigation, said: “This was a targeted and aggressive robbery carried out by two utterly nonsensical men, who showed a clear disregard for the safety and wellbeing of others. Thanks to the bravery of the 16-year-old girl who came forward after experiencing the shocking ordeal of her brother being attacked right in front of her, and the coordinated efforts of our specialist units, the suspects were quickly located and arrested.
“We have zero tolerance for individuals who carry weapons and use fear to commit crime. Our teams work tirelessly to remove dangerous offenders from our streets and protect our communities. We remain absolutely determined to tackle violent crime and take action against those responsible for serious offences of this nature.
“I am pleased to see these men held accountable and reassured to know they are now behind bars.”
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