A JUDGE has warned a gang of armed robbers they could face up to 10 years in prison when they are caught and convicted.
Judge John Burgess issued the promise as he jailed one of its teenage members to 16 months in a young person's institute.
Derby Crown Court was told how Jack Byard, of Argyll Road, Ripley, was part of a group of five people that burst into a house in Peasehill, Ripley, on October 16.
He was downstairs as the others went upstairs, one armed with a knife, and threatened the householder before robbing him.
Judge Burgess accepted that Byard, now 18 and who was 17 at the time of the incident, did not know anyone was armed, hence being charged with burglary, rather than robbery. Byard pleaded guilty.
Judge Burgess said: "If any of those others were here before the court the starting point for them would be many years, even as much as double figures.
"For the benefit of any doubt for anyone else that might be arrested and charged, they can't expect to receive such a lenient sentence as this. It was a serious burglary and you (Byard) deserve quite a lot of blame.
"I accept you were not armed and that you did not believe the others were. But you knew when you went into that house there were going to be people inside.
"There was an element of planning and you made a point of disguising yourself by trying to shield your face wearing a scarf," he added.
Sarah Slater, prosecuting, said the gang burst into the house at 7.30pm on October 16 last year. She said: "The real violence was upstairs while this defendant was downstairs with his face covered by a scarf. Three of the group went upstairs, one armed with a knife, and made threats before items were taken.
"The defendant was arrested and admitted he had gone to the house to steal cannabis. He did not go upstairs and told the police he was shocked by what happened.''
Stephen Cobley, for Byard, said: "He is embarrassed and ashamed.''
