Men cleared of attempted knifepoint robbery

Two Ipswich men have been cleared of being involved in an attempted knifepoint robbery in the town.

Before Ipswich Crown Court were Brendan Potkins, 21, of Birkfield Drive, Ipswich and Lewis Harris, of Lakeside Close, Ipswich who had denied attempting to rob a 16-year-old youth in Cambridge Drive, Ipswich on March 10.

They were found not guilty of attempted robbery on the direction of the trial judge following legal submissions from defence counsel about identification evidence in the case.

Harris pleaded guilty to a less serious charge of common assault on the victim of the alleged attempted robbery and an offence of assault by beating on a friend of the victim of the alleged attempted robbery.

Harris, who is currently detained until January next year on licence recall, was sentenced to two months in a young offenders’ institution.

During a four day trial the court heard that the victim of the alleged attempted robbery was with a group of friends in Cambridge Drive, Ipswich when they realised they were being followed by three men.

The three men had then started jogging after the group and Harris had punched one of the teenagers on the side of the face.

The three men then allegedly surrounded one of the other teenagers and Harris had allegedly thrown a punch at him which missed.

Potkins had then allegedly produced a knife and held it to the alleged victim’s throat and told him:”Give me everything you’ve got.”

The teenager offered his food, which Potkins declined, and Potkins then allegedly ordered him to empty his pockets while pointing the knife at his throat before running off empty-handed.

Daniel Taylor for Harris said his client had been in and out of trouble with the police for most of his young adult life.

He said Harris lacked confidence and was easily led.