Lincoln teenager who took part in a robbery at a Bourne family home has been spared jail

A teenager who took part in a terrifying armed robbery at the home of a Bourne family was spared custody after a judge accepted he was a victim of "forced criminality."

Freddie Gray was just 16 when he carried out the robbery with an older man who was armed with a knife and a syringe, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

The court was told Gray had become a victim of modern slavery after being exposed to crime since the age of 13.

Hal Ewing, prosecuting, said events culminated when Gray and an adult male carried out the robbery at a home in Elsea Park, Bourne, on April 4, 2023.

Mr Ewing said the homeowner and three of her children were in when Gray and the older man came to their front door posing as Amazon delivery men.

The older man tried to push the front door open when the female homeowner answered and poked a syringe through the letter box when she tried to stop him entering, Mr Ewing explained.

Once inside the property Gray demanded cash and asked the woman to fill black bin bags, the court was told.

Mr Ewing said the terrified householder saw the older man was also holding a knife with a blade 20-30cms in length. He also threatened to discharge liquid from the syringe.

She warned her two youngest children to stay in the bathroom but her teenage daughter witnessed much of the robbery, Mr Ewing added.

Gray had previously visited the property to play X-box with the family's teenage son who was out at the time of the robbery, the court heard.

The two robbers fled with hundreds of pounds in cash and property including the X-box, a £300 jacket and a £200 watch.

In her victim statement which was read out in court the householder described the impact on her three children.

"One of them said 'I thought you were going to die mummy,' " she explained.

"When the robbery happened they tricked me by pretending to be delivery drivers.

"It is a horrible feeling not to feel safe in your own home."

Police recovered £500 from Gray on his arrest. Subsequent investigations showed he had been exposed to a criminal lifestyle as a result of threats and pressure.

Gray, now of Woodfield Avenue, Lincoln, admitted a single charge of robbery.

Anna Soubry, mitigating for Gray, now 18, said he had stayed completely out of trouble since the robbery.

"He does apologise and his truly ashamed," Miss Soubry added. "I hope it is of some small comfort to the victims."

Passing sentence Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight told Gray she was taking an exceptional course because of his previous history and his willingness to be rehabilited.

Gray was sentenced to two years youth custody suspended for two years. He must also complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.