A Carlisle couple have been jailed after bundling a man into a van, robbing him and threatening to bury him alive.

Victim David Purdie was attacked and threatened having been offered a lift home from the city centre on September 30 last year.

Anthony Lee McAllister, 30, was a passenger, while his 34-year-old wife, Claire Nicola Boswell, was driving.

During the journey McAllister punched Mr Purdie repeatedly. He also rifled through the victim's pockets, and he and Boswell stole various items after she pulled the vehicle over.

Carlisle Crown Court heard that threats were made to strip Mr Purdie, take him into the countryside, bury him and leave him there.

Fearing for his life, the victim jumped from the moving vehicle as it was driven at almost 40mph.

He was left injured and later had nightmares.

Boswell and McAllister were sentenced today, having each admitted a robbery charge and a string of driving crimes.

McAllister, of Caldbeck Road, and Boswell, of Petteril Terrace, both Carlisle, were each jailed for five years and five months.

Judge Tony Lancaster told the heroin-using couple: "This offence was a particularly unpleasant one."

Speaking after the sentencing Detective Constable Susanne Hayward, from North Cumbria CID, said: "I am pleased that both have been taken out of society and sent to prison.

"McAllister and Boswell subjected the victim to a terrifying ordeal making him fear for his life. After all they put him through they managed to take £50 and a mobile phone.

"What made it worse for the victim was the innocent circumstances in which the victim accepted a lift from two people he knew and believed he had a friendship with.

"I would like to take this opportunity to praise the victim for his cooperation and also the members of the public who looked after him following his escape from the van."