Two men who intervened to stop a street mugging in Grantham town centre have been praised by a judge and each awarded £300 out of public funds.
A security guard and store manager went to the aid of the 16-year-old victim as he was being attacked in Wharf Road, detaining both Calvin Joseph and his accomplice Dylan Keane until police arrived at the scene.
James Cleary, prosecuting, told Lincoln Crown Court: “Joseph had the victim in a headlock while Keane went through his pockets.
“(The security guard and store manager) had been following the defendants because of their behaviour in a nearby shopping centre.
“They restrained both defendants until the police arrived. This was despite Keane threatening (the security guard) that he would petrol bomb his house and kill his children.”
The victim, who suffered a minor injury to an ear, was able to retrieve his wallet as well as some cigarette papers and tobacco which was taken from him.
Mr Cleary said that both Joseph and Keane were drunk when they were detained and Joseph was subsequently taken to hospital. He was abusive both to police and hospital staff.
Joseph, 18, who was living in a bail hostel in Lincoln, and Keane, 18, of Queensway in Grantham, each admitted robbery on October 12. Joseph was given 21 months at a young offenders’ institution and Keane recveived 18 months.
Judge Sean Morris praised the behaviour of the guard and manager.
He said: “They rescued this young man from what could have been an even worse ordeal. They did not stand idly by.”
Chris Jeyes, defending Joseph, said: “He recognises that he has problems he needs to deal with. Much of his offending has resulted from his use of alcohol. This was essentially a drunken rampage.”
Chris Milligan, for Keane, said his client had been drinking for seven hours before the incident, adding: “This is a young man brought up by two alcoholics. He has had very little chance in life at all. He has not been taught right from wrong as he should have been.”