'He must have been petrified': Alleyway robbers threatened student with knives as they took his iPhone worth £1,000 outside Space nightclub in Leeds city centre

Bilal Hussain and Adam Hamza were sent to a young offender institution over the robbery outside Space nightclub.

Leeds Crown Court heard the pair targeted the 18-year-old victim outside the nightclub on Hirst's Yard on October 21 last year.

Syam Soni, prosecuting, said the pair approached the student after he got separated from his friends as they enjoyed a night out in the city centre.

Hussain and Hamza initially appeared "jovial" when they spoke to the victim then asked him if he wanted to buy drugs.

The victim turned down the offer and one of the robbers asked for his mobile phone.

He refused to hand it over but one of the defendants took out a large kitchen knife.

The phone, an iPhone 11 worth over £1,000, was handed over along with £30 in cash and his driving licence.

Hussain and Bilal were identified after the victim described one of them has having a gold tooth.

Mr Soni said both defendants have previous convictions and were subject to a court order which banned them from associating with each other.

Hussain, 20, of Foundry Avenue, Harehills, and Hamza, 18, of Willow Close, Burley, pleaded guilty to robbery.

Hussain has seven previous convictions and was on licence at the time of the offence.

Read more: 'Desperate' Leeds street robber took victim's mobile phone as she offered to help him get foodFelicity Hemlin, for Hamza, said the teenager has been in custody on remand since his arrest and had found the experience difficult.

She said: "He is highly naive and immature. I would ask that the detention is as short as can be imposed."

Glenn Parsons, for Hussain, said his client was in a more serious position due to his longer criminal record.

Hussain was given a three-year sentence. Hamza was sentenced to 28 months.

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Stubbs QC said: "He must have been petrified to be confronted by the two of you.

"The offending is made worse by the fact that it was a group offence in a secluded location.

"I take the view that this offence was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate."