Men jailed for knifepoint robbery on fishermen and son in Stillington

Jay Bryson and Brandon Dalkin stole a £600 gold ring and an iPhone when they targeted the pair while they were relaxing at some fishing ponds in Stillington.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the older man handed over his mobile phone in an attempt to distract the pair while they were threatening the teenager with a knife.

Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, told the judge how Bryson had also knocked a man out with a brick when he was drinking in his garden before hitting a woman who tried to intervene.

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Describing the robbery, Mr Sabiston said both victims were terrified when Dalkin pulled out a knife and demanded the teenager handover the gold ring while threatening to ‘slash him up’ on February 18, 2019.

In a victim impact statement, the teenager said he genuinely feared for his life while he was being robbed by the pair and was now nervous when he went outside on his own.

The man said he tried his best to protect the teenager and could only think of his own child as confronted the pair despite fearing he was going to be stabbed.

Bryson and Dalkin both pleaded guilty to two charges of robbery, the court heard.

Bryson, of Hive Close, also pleaded guilty to wounding a man with intent and assault following the incident on June 9, 2021.

Jay Bryson (Image: Cleveland Police)

Victoria Smith-Swain, representing the 28-year-old, said that attack took place on the day of his grandmother’s funeral.

She added: “Four days after the section 18 offence, he was sectioned under the mental health act.”

And David Lamb KC, representing 23-year-old Dalkin, said his client’s brother had died three weeks before the robbery and had been struggling to come to terms with his loss.

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He added that Dalkin was now ashamed of his behaviour on that day and had moved away from the area to escape people who had undue influence on him.

Brandon Dalkin (Image: Cleveland Police)

Judge Jonathan Carroll told both men that their behaviour had a lasting impact on their victims’ lives as he locked them up.

Bryson was jailed for a total of nine years and one month while Dalkin was sentenced to six years and eight months.