A VIOLENT teenager identified by police as one of Redbridge’s top five robbers has been jailed for two years.

Danny Milne, 19, of Tiptree Crescent, Barkingside, was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court after pleading guilty to four robberies and one attempted robbery.

Milne's offences included subjecting a group of three teenagers to a terrifying attack as they took a late night shortcut home from a friend’s birthday party.

Working with an unnamed accomplice, Milne ambushed the youngsters in Claybury Woods, Tomswood Hill at around midnight on April 14.

The youngsters were beaten with a stick and threatened with being stabbed before Milne and his accomplice searched them and stole their mobile phones.

Just 24 hours later the duo robbed two men who were sitting in a car in Hurstleigh Gardens, Barkingside.

Milne flung open the door of the vehicle and threatened to stab his terrified 19 and 20-year-old victims before stealing two mobile phones and one of the men’s wallets.

Police arrested Milne on April 16 and he was sentenced on October 2.

As well as the Barkingside robberies he was also sentenced for a burglary in Essex with another three offences taken into consideration.

Milne, who has a number of previous convictions, had previously been identified as one of Redbridge Police’s top five targets during ‘Operation Topple’ a Met-wide operation targeting the capital’s most wanted burglars and robbers.

Following the verdict, Investigating officer PC Paul Fuller said: "These were nasty offences where the victims genuinely feared they would be stabbed.
 

"I hope the fact Milne is now behind bars deters others from committing similar crimes."

Detective Inspector Craig Robinson, from Redbridge robbery squad, added: "These were cowardly attacks.
 

"At the age of just 19, Milne is already a career criminal. The streets of Redbridge will be safer with him locked up."

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