Knifepoint robber jailed for night-time spree

Rowan Hague admitted 15 offences carried out in one night in Blyth

A robber who held a knife to a teenage girl's throat and threatened to kill her if her friends did not hand over their valuables has been jailed for seven and a half years.

Rowan Hague, 23, targeted 15 people in Blyth, Northumberland, in one evening and stole items including bikes, phones and jewellery, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Hague, of no fixed abode, admitted 15 offences including multiple robberies, attempted robberies and possession of a knife and hammer.

Recorder Anthony Kelbrick said he had no doubt Hague was a "dangerous offender".

Prosecutor Nick Lane said Hague moved through the town on 15 February "confronting anyone who had the misfortune to come across him".

The most serious attack saw him emerge from bushes and grab a teenage girl who was walking with two friends.

Hague held a large bread knife to her neck and said he would "cut her throat" if the girls did not give him their phones and bags, Mr Lane said.

One of the girls was so traumatised she tried to take her own life in the aftermath, the court heard.

Other victims included

• A 16-year-old boy was made to hand over an £80 ring and £3 in cash

• A fast-food restaurant worker who had a backpack and £1,800 phone taken from him at a bus stop

• A man at another bus stop who had his wallet containing bank cards stolen

• A man whose pockets were rifled by Hague and had his phone, tobacco and a lit cigarette from his mouth stolen

• Three men who had bikes worth a total of £4,000 stolen after Hague stopped them riding and threatened them with weapons including a knife and hammer

• A man with "severe learning difficulties" who Hague grabbed and ordered to hand over money

• A delivery driver who Hague held a knife towards and demanded money from

• A man who fled after Hague brandished the knife towards him and demanded money

One man, who had his bike stolen by Hague, encountered him again by chance 10 minutes later and was robbed of his phone, the court heard.

Hague also attempted to steal money from a taxi driver and lunged the knife through the man's open window, the court heard.

The driver was able to close the window but in a statement said he had been so distressed by the attack he had given up his job.

Several victims said they had been terrified and now feared going out at night.

Recorder Kelbrick also sentenced Hague to three years extended licence to be served upon his release from prison.

The judge told him: "You went on a spree of robbery, robbing all those whom you came across as you travelled around Blyth.

"[They were] people going about their innocent activities doing nobody any harm and doing you no harm at all."