Harrogate teen told victims they were 'going to die' in terrifying knife attack

A masked teenage robber from Harrogate who stabbed two of his victims with a carving knife has been jailed for over 10 years.
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Sirus Alexander, 19, was wearing a skull mask when he confronted the three “terrified” men in Harrogate town centre and told them they were “going to die”

Alexander, a cocaine user and fan of violent video games, stabbed two of the men in the thigh as he robbed them of their possessions, York Crown Court heard.

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The teenager, of Rayleigh Road, Harrogate, admitted two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery and two of wounding with intent. He appeared for sentence via video link on after being remanded in custody.

Sirus Alexander, 19, was wearing a skull mask when he confronted the three terrified men in Harrogate town centre and told them they were going to dieSirus Alexander, 19, was wearing a skull mask when he confronted the three terrified men in Harrogate town centre and told them they were going to die
Sirus Alexander, 19, was wearing a skull mask when he confronted the three terrified men in Harrogate town centre and told them they were going to die

Prosecutor George Hazel-Owram said the three victims, who were named in court, were out in the town centre for drinks and a meal. They were making their way home at about 11.30pm on June 30 last year when they were confronted by a masked man near the Asda store on the corner of Mayfield Grove and Strawberry Dale.

“It was a mask with a skull,” said Mr Hazel-Owram. "(Alexander) asked them if they wanted to die. He asked them if they wanted to get stabbed.” Alexander demanded money and told them to empty their pockets.

“He produced a knife and brandished it,” added Mr Hazel-Owram. “It was a kitchen or carving knife with a large blade.”

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One of the men tried to calm him down and said they had money to give him, but Alexander started grabbing the pockets of one of the victims. He stole a tobacco pouch and cigarettes from one of the victims and snatched a £5 note from another.

He then punched two of the men in the head, causing a cut to one of them and breaking the other’s glasses. Loose change spilled from one of the victim’s pockets, which they picked up and gave to Alexander, who began “slashing out” with the knife.

He stabbed two of the men in the thigh, causing “gaping” wounds, and snatched a rucksack from one of the victims before running off. The rucksack contained various items including a mobile phone and pair of shoes.

The victims called 999 and sought refuge in a friend’s house where an ambulance was called. The two stab victims were taken to Leeds General Infirmary where they were treated for the wounds which were not life-threatening.

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Police were called to a block of flats in Mayfield Grove and arrested Alexander just as he was leaving the building, still wearing the skull mask. He was pulling the mask off just before being arrested.

“He threw it to the floor and gave a false name,” said Mr Hazel-Owram.

“He told officers he was wearing the mask because he was playing (the violent video game) ‘Call of Duty’.

Police searched a flat in the apartment block and found the stolen rucksack and the stolen bank note. Alexander was “aggressive and agitated” during his arrest and remained silent in police interview.

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He had previous convictions for violence, possessing a knife, racially-aggravated harassment and one for ‘administering poison’ on 2016, when he laced someone’s drink with bleach. At the time of the robberies, he was on a community order for vehicle theft.

Defence barrister Andrew Stranex said Alexander had an “extremely difficult” upbringing and spent his childhood in care.

In early 2019, just months before the robberies, Alexander - who was living in Bradford at the time - was released from probation supervision on his 18th birthday. He was in a “very dark place” and bingeing on alcohol and cocaine.

Mr Stranex said Alexander was “deeply remorseful” for his actions and understood the “real fear” his victims must have endured.

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Judge Simon Hickey said Alexander’s offences were “serious and grave” and said the victims must have been “terrified”.

The attack had had a severe psychological effect on at least one of the victims.

The judge said it was “remarkable” that Alexander had hitherto never had a taste of prison.

Jailing Alexander for 10 years and nine months, Mr Hickey said Alexander posed a “significant” risk of committing further offences.