An Afghan refugee who fled from the Taliban ended up being a robbery victim, a court was told yesterday.

Asylum seeker Daod Ahmadi, 26, was robbed of his food vouchers and £60 when he was targeted late at night in Middlesbrough.

The robbery, which took place as Mr Ahmadi pushed his bicycle through Middlesbrough town centre, was caught on a closed-circuit television camera.

Mr Ahmadi, who had been in England only a few months, was seen being pushed by a young prostitute. As he tried to walk away he was surrounded by her and two men.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said that one of the men produced a knife and they went through his pockets, taking his food vouchers and money.

Gemma Marshall, 23, an art student on drugs who became a prostitute, formerly of Whorton Street, Skelton, east Cleveland, was jailed for 33 months after she pleaded guilty to the October 4 robbery.

Gary Hamonds, 26, of Pearl Street, Middlesbrough, was also jailed for 33 months, and Robert Wright, 19, of Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, was sentenced to 30 months in youth custody after they also pleaded guilty.

Marshall, who had previous convictions for shoplifting and prostitution, was aware of the shame and embarrassment she had brought on her family and herself, said John Atkin, defending.