A JUDGE warned two teenagers they face “a miserable” existence unless they can turn round their life of crime.

Christopher Stephenson and Billy Scott are today beginning a sentence of two and half years in jail after admitting carrying out a robbery, where one terrified victim was told she ought to be stabbed.

Prosecuting, Andrew Jackson, told Ipswich Crown Court that the two 18-year-olds had gone to the Station Street home of Emma Foy and John Huggins on January 24 this year.

Ms Foy, who knew the pair, had let them and another man inside, where they sat in a sitting room with soft drinks.

Mr Jackson said that at some point Mr Huggins had left the room and had been followed by the three men.

The court was told that after Ms Foy heard “a lot of noise” she too went into the bedroom where Stephenson and Scott were demanding money from her partner. Mr Jackson said that as Ms Foy intervened, Stephenson pinned her down by the throat and said: “I ought to shank you.”

The men left when Mr Huggins handed over cash that was hidden under a carpet. The couple’s phones were also taken.

The court was told that two days later Aminur Rahman was the victim of a robbery at an address in Crescent Road. Mr Jackson said police found his mobile phone when Scott was arrested.

Scott, of Surrey Road, Ipswich, had previously pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and Stephenson, of Fore Street, Ipswich, had also admitted two counts of robbery and one count of assault at an earlier hearing.

Scott also asked for seven burglaries, a street robbery, one attempted burglary and a count of criminal damage to be taken into consideration.

Ian Persaud, in mitigation, said Scott had experienced a troubled upbringing.

Roger Thomson, in mitigation for Stephenson, said his client was only 17 when the offence took place and had been working in a kitchen in custody to further himself.

Mr Justice Saunders told the pair they had to decide if they were going to spend their lives in and out of prison.

He added: “Only you can make that decision, otherwise you will have a very miserable life.”

Scott was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for each robbery, with the time to run concurrently.

Stephenson was handed two concurrent sentences of two years and three months for robbery and an additional three months for assault.