A 25-year-old who threatened to stab two men unless they handed over their mobile phones has been jailed for four years and three months, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Keith Cross, of Curzon Road, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday 10 January.

The court heard how on Monday November 27 last year, shortly after 10.30pm, Cross approached his first victim on a train heading towards New Brighton, demanding he hand over his phone and wallet or he would stab him.

The 27-year-old victim gave Cross his phone and £10 in cash.

Cross then moved down the train and approached his second victim; pulling the man’s earphones out, he threatened to stab him unless he gave him his phone.
The victim handed over the phone and Cross ran off the train at Birkenhead North station.

Following a media appeal which featured CCTV images of Cross, he was identified by members of the public and arrested.

Investigating officer DC Ian Henderson said: “Both Cross’ victims were left shaken and feared for their lives as they genuinely thought they would be stabbed if they refused his demands. Despite no knife being produced, Cross’ aggression and threats of violence were enough to cause the victims to hand over expensive phones. One of those phones contained photographs of the victim’s daughter, who was at the time seriously ill in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. Sadly despite our best efforts, neither phones have been retrieved.
“Cross’ sentence reflects the severity of his crime and should give him time to contemplate his actions.”

Cross was jailed for a total of four years and three months due to a previous breach of licence.