A Cambridgeshire teenager who subjected two men to a terrifying knifepoint robbery and later assaulted a police officer with a concrete slab has been sentenced to more than four years in a young offenders institution.
19-year-old Noah Hardingham, of Lowburyholme Road, Over, Cambridge, approached his victims as they sat in a car in High Piece Crescent, Longstanton, around 21:30 on 17 June. Hardingham, brandishing a knife, forced one of the men into the back seat and ordered the other to drive to the end of the road.
Once there, Hardingham threatened the men with the knife, warning them, "it's not worth losing your lives over a car," before robbing them of their phones, wallets, and the vehicle itself. Among the stolen items were a designer watch, a bag, and a pair of shoes.
The stolen car was later found abandoned nearby. The robbery was not immediately reported to the police.
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The following day, the victims' friends confronted Hardingham, leading to a physical altercation in which Hardingham was punched. Seeking revenge, Hardingham later went to the men's home armed with shards of glass and a concrete slab.
When police arrived at the scene, Hardingham attacked an officer, striking him in the head with the concrete slab. The officer sustained a serious
facial laceration and required hospital treatment.
Hardingham was arrested and subsequently appeared at Peterborough Crown Court on 22 November. He pleaded guilty to robbery, wounding with intent, and criminal damage, and was sentenced to four years and four months in a young offenders institution.
PC Andy Watters, who investigated the case, commented on Hardingham's lack of remorse and the lasting impact his actions will have on the victims. He emphasised that knife crime and violent behaviour will not be tolerated in Cambridgeshire.
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