TWO young robbers have been locked up for five and a half years after a judge described them as "young men leading selfish and meaningless lives."
Bradford Crown Court heard how 20-year-old Christopher King and 19-year-old Sean Newton, both of Huddersfield, attacked a businessman with beer bottles before smashing up his van and making off with its keys and a stereo.
Two months later, they punched and threatened three boys aged 15, 11 and four who were sat watching television inside their own home and made off with over £700 worth of property.
King, of Fanny Moor Crescent, Lowerhouses, and Newton, of Smithy Lane, Moldgreen, pleaded guilty to four charges of robbery. King also admitted breaching a community rehabilitation order.
Sending them to a young offenders' institution, Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC said they were heavy drinkers who had rejected education and all attempts to help them.
They couldn't or wouldn't work.
Austin Newman, prosecuting, said the first robbery was in April, when self-employed window fitter Matthew Doult was driving his van in the Lowerhouses area and stopped at some shops to buy food and drink.
Newton and King launched a bottle attack on him and his van, which was later written off.
In June, King and Newton forced their way into a house, threatening and punching the three young boys inside as they searched for items to steal.
The boys recognised both men and one got away to call police.
Nadim Bashir, for King, described the offences as "opportunistic and wholly meaningless".
Ruth Cranidge, for Newton, said both offences had been committed while her client was under the influence of drink or drugs.
