A TEENAGER has been locked up for his part in the terrifying robbery of a heavily pregnant woman in her own Newsome home.

Connor Murray, 18, of Highfield Crescent, Holmfirth, failed to turn up for a sentence hearing at Bradford Crown Court a few days before Christmas, but yesterday he was sentenced to a total of 21 months in custody.

Murray and others had invaded the home of the woman and her boyfriend the day after the couple had been subjected to another attack in their own flat.

Prosecutor Jayne Beckett told the court that Murray snatched a Blackberry mobile phone from the woman and handed it to an accomplice before trying to steal the couple’s television.

The court heard that the couple were left in a distressed state by their ordeal and Murray and another accomplice were arrested a short time later in an Almondbury pub.

Judge Peter Benson was told that in 2009 Murray was given a referral order by the youth court for another offence of robbery.

His record revealed that he had also breached an anti-social behaviour order in the past. This was in the Lowerhouses area.

Barrister Adam Birkby, for Murray, said he had failed to turn up for his sentence hearing because his mother was ill and he wanted to spend Christmas with her.

Mr Birkby pointed out that at the time of the robbery, which Murray admitted, he was only 17.

Judge Benson said the female complainant had been vulnerable and it must have been a very alarming experience for her.

The judge said Murray’s failure to turn up for his sentence had also caused considerable inconvenience and a waste of public money.

Murray had been arrested on a bench warrant at New Year and had been remanded in custody since then.

Judge Benson sentenced him to 18 months for the robbery with an additional three months for failing to answer his bail.