A STUDENT was subjected to a terrifying knifepoint robbery when two men wrestled a bag from her in broad daylight.

Rachel More, who was studying at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle, was just metres away from the Fusehill Street campus when the ordeal took place in March last year.

The attack was carried out by Robert Phillips, 29, and Tony Lockwood, 20, who had their faces covered by scarves and while they were both out of prison on licence.

One of the men first tried to grab the bag from her while a knife was visible up his sleeve. But the victim refused to hand the bag over and fought back before the second man stepped in and forced her to let go.

During the struggle Ms More sustained a knife wound to the tip of her thumb that needed three stitches. She's been left with a 2cm scar which affects her ability to write.

The stolen bag contained the woman's laptop which had 7,000 of 10,000 words of her dissertation on.

In a victim impact statement, Carlisle Crown Court heard that the incident meant she could not hand in her final piece of work on time and was given a two-week extension.

"But due to the stress I struggled to do it and as a result I failed to complete my degree. I'm currently resitting," the statement read.

Both men admitted charges of robbery and possession of a knife and were sentenced by Judge Peter Hughes QC.

The judge said: "It is apparent that the robbery will have a lasting and possibly life-changing effect on your victim."

He continued: "The only real mitigating feature for both of you is the fact of your guilty pleas. 

"There is scant evidence of genuine remorse or regret for your actions."

Phillips, whose registered address is HMP Lancaster Farms, Lancaster, was handed an eight-year sentence by the judge. He is already serving a six-year sentence for a robbery in Carlisle and the latest punishment will run alongside his previous one. 

"At the time of the offence Phillips was out on licence following a five-and-a-half year sentence for a knife-point robbery.

Describing Phillips, the judge said: "You have demonstrated by your pattern of offending that you have little, if any, regard for those against whom you offend. You are, in my view, a persistent, callous and dangerous offender."

Lockwood, of Her Majesty’s young offenders institution in Lichfield, committed the offence just four days after being released on licence. He had been serving a sentence for serious sexual offences involving children under the age of 13.

He was handed a six-year sentence.

Following the sentencing hearing, the judge paid tribute to the victim.

"Rachel More is to be commended for this exceptional bravery she displayed and I'm going to invite the high sheriff to award her the sum of £750," he said.