Knife thug in court over Domino's Pizza robbery (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Knife thug in court over Domino's Pizza robbery

5:10pm Sunday 5th August 2012 in Local By Chris Gregory

A KNIFE-wielding thug has been punished for his part in robbing a pizza delivery man.

Ryan Smith was said to have tapped a knife against his thigh after demanding a Domino’s Pizza employee hand over £38 worth of food in the early hours of November 28 last year.

Smith, 22, pleaded guilty to robbery at a previous hearing and appeared for sentence at Winchester Crown Court.

Three defendants from Basingstoke – Natalie Riley, of Ferndown Close, Beggarwood, Mark Brinkley, of May Place, and Samuel Harris, of Wintherthur Way – were sentenced for their part in the robbery in June.

Robert Bolton, prosecuting, said all four defendants were at Harris’ flat in Winterthur Way, when Riley ordered pizzas, knowing the group did not have enough money to pay for them.

When the delivery man, Daniel Parkhouse, arrived at the lobby of the flats, he was met by Brinkley and Smith, who were both holding knives by their side, the court heard.

Mr Bolton said: “One of the males asks if he could be given the pizzas. Daniel Parkhouse says only if they have money. The knives are clearly shown. He understands the position and leaves without the pizzas.”

He added that in interview, Smith said he could not remember the robbery, as he had taken prescription drugs and smoked cannabis that day.

Aleks Lloyd, defending, said Smith, of Warbank Crescent, New Addington, South London, had mental health problems and had fallen in “with a young lady and men who are extremely well-known for their pattern of behaviour”.

Mr Justice Burnett sentenced Smith to 12 months imprisonment suspended for two years, along with a six-month curfew.

He said that Smith’s mental health problems, as well as his early guilty plea, meant that his sentence could be reduced from the guidelines.