Robber took £4,500 electric bike off 16-year-old in Lincoln after threatening to stab him

A teenager who robbed a 16-year-old boy of his £4,500 electric bike after threats were made to stab him was sentenced to three years in custody.

Levi Martin, 19, rode off on the month old bike after robbing the young owner at the railway crossing on Lincoln High Street.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Martin was among a group of youths who confronted the 16-year-old and his friend as they used the railway crossing lift to transport their bikes.

Noel Philo, prosecuting, said Martin approached the 16-year-old and told him: "I've seen you before, get off your bike."

The teenager was also asked for drugs and Martin warned him: "Run me that bike or I'll stab you."

Mr Philo said the victim did not see a knife but believed there was one and felt scared.

The court heard Martin snatched the bike ignition keys and rode off down the stairs.

A number of the victim's friends took photos of the robber and tried to pursue him but were warned: "If you keep following me I'll stab you, you don't know what I'll do or what I'm on."

In an impact statement which was read out in court, the victim described how he now felt afraid to go out in case he was robbed again.

"It has made me feel very depressed mentally and physically as I can no longer go to the gym," the boy said.

The victim explained his bike was only a month old and he had hoped to sell it to buy a car when he was 17, but that was no longer possible.

Martin, of Newark Road, Lincoln, admitted the robbery which occurred at 6.45pm on 13 July.

The court heard Martin had previous convictions for robbery, affray and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Tom Heath, mitigating, said Martin endured a troubled childhood but had to accept this was a very unpleasant offence.

"No knife was actually produced by him and the incident was fairly shot lived," Mr Heath added.

Mr Heath told the court Martin had also been working well with the prison authorities after being remanded into custody.

Passing a sentence of three years in a young offenders institution, Recorder Mann KC said it was clear the robbery had a significant impact on the victim.

"He is now fearful of going out," Recorder Mann added.

Recorder Mann told Martin the robbery was also aggravated by his previous convictions.