Bracknell

Two men from Bracknell have been sent to jail after they robbed and assaulted a bus driver in the town.

Stephen Kent, 20, formerly of Priestwood, and Luke Mehmi, 19, formerly of Wildridings, Bracknell both pleaded guilty at Reading Crown Court to robbery on the bus in August as it was being driven through Wildridings by Ramkumar Rai.

Kent was sentenced to three years and six months for the robbery. He was also sentenced to two years to run consecutively for breaching an ASBO and a further 12 weeks for breaching a previous court order.

Mehmi was sentenced to three years and three months for the robbery.

The court heard how Mehmi and Kent ran alongside the Bracknell bus and kicked and hit it while it had stopped at red traffic lights.

They opened the doors by pressing the emergency release button, boarded the bus and threatened the driver, Mr Rai, for money. Kent punched him three times and Mehmi snatched a bag of coins from him. The men claimed they had a gun.

The robbers were caught on camera by CCTV and audio on the bus.

The judge at Reading Crown Court said: "Sometimes it takes watching the CCTV to understand the case and the effect it has on the victim."

He praised the bus driver, saying Mr Rai was "performing a valuable public service, at night. He was a vulnerable victim with nowhere to run to or escape."

Ian Boswell, community safety manager at Bracknell Forest Council, said: "This was a vicious crime by two local young men and although such offences are rare, it is gratifying that it has been dealt with so quickly and effectively by the court.

"Bracknell will be a safer place as a result of these sentences."

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for Bracknell public protection, said: "We are fortunate to live in an area where these sorts of crime are rare. Crime and disorder reduction and public safety are high on our list of priorities for the borough.

"We want residents to be safe and feel safe.

"This case sends out a strong warning to local offenders that committing robbery and breaching ASBOs will attract a substantial custodial sentence."

Bracknell Forest Council