Two teenagers have been convicted of robbing a 14-year-old boy near Peterborough city centre.
On the evening of 23 September last year, at 8:48 pm, Cambridgeshire Police received a 999 call reporting that a 14-year-old boy had been robbed at knifepoint on Eastfield Road, Eastfield.
CCTV footage from Monument Street showed Kristaps Daugelis, 19, cutting in front of the victim and his friend, riding an e-scooter to block their path. At the same time, Phillip Kandrac, 18, blocked them from the other direction.
The victim and his friend managed to escape, but Daugelis and Kandrac chased after them. Daugelis punched the victim repeatedly to his torso and head, knocking him to the ground, where they continued to assault him. The pair attempted to steal the victim’s bicycle but ultimately decided to take his mobile phone instead.
Daugelis was identified from CCTV footage and arrested the following day at his home in Gladstone Street, Millfield. During questioning, he claimed an alibi, stating he had been at his girlfriend’s home all night. However, he failed to provide her full name or address to verify his account.
Kandrac was also identified from the CCTV footage and arrested in the days following the incident. Both he and Daugelis remained silent during their interviews.
A third person, Ghulaam Ali, was also charged with robbery and possessing a machete in a public place. However, he was found not guilty following a trial at Cambridge Crown Court.
On 1 November, Kandrac, of Westmoreland Gardens, Eastgate, pleaded guilty to the robbery charge. He was ordered to pay £100 in compensation to the victim and was placed on a nine-month Youth Referral Order, which involves attending a youth offender panel to agree on a set of commitments.
Daugelis, of Gladstone Street, Millfield, denied the robbery charge but was found guilty at trial in March. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to five years in prison at Cambridge Crown Court.
Detective Constable Lauren Easton, who led the investigation, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on an innocent child. This behavior will not be tolerated, and we will continue to gather the necessary evidence to bring offenders to justice. I would also like to thank the member of the public who helped the boy and called the police.”
