Phone robber arrested after he gave victim his own mobile

A ROBBER was arrested after he gave his mobile phone to one of his victims as compensation for a phone he had just stolen.

Eneas Tanyongana was jailed for six months after his action handed his identity to police on a plate.

A court heard how the 21-year-old threatened and robbed his 16-year-old victim on board a train between Ware and Rye House station in Hertfordshire in March.

The robber approached the teenager and demanded he hand over his mobile phone, threatening to stab him if he didn't.

Detective Constable Jon Pine, of British Transport Police's Robbery Squad, said: "The boy was obviously very scared and handed over the phone without argument. When the boy asked what he was supposed to do without a phone, Tanyongana decided to hand over his own phone, complete with contact details and photos."

Tanyongana, of Harlow, was arrested within hours. He was also identified on CCTV committing two other robberies on trains in Hertfordshire. He pleaded guilty at Luton crown court to two counts of robbery and one of attempted robbery.