A MAN has been jailed for more than five years for a knifepoint robbery in Middlesbrough.

Robbie Bean, 24, was jailed today at Teesside Crown Court for five years and four months.

The court heard how in June this year he had robbed a man in his 20s who was with his girlfriend in Gresham Road.

The victim reported Bean showing a knife before stealing £70 in cash.

DC Benn Haxton from Middlesbrough CID, said: “Robbie Bean took out a large kitchen knife and used it to threaten the victim and steal £70 in cash from him in broad daylight.

“This understandably caused the victim a great deal of trauma and distress however thanks to the cooperation of the victim and witnesses who came forward to provide statements, Robbie Bean will now be unable to cause harm to others for a significant period of time.

“We are pleased with the sentence and hope it provides reassurance to the public that Cleveland Police and the courts take knife crime very seriously.”