A TEENAGER responsible for two robberies in just a few hours told one victim: “I’ll stab your girlfriend, I’ll stab your dad, I’ll stab your mother.”

The man’s terrifying ordeal - which involved the teenager prodding him with a knife and repeatedly punching him - was outlined as a judge sentenced the 17-year-old and his accomplice for one of the robberies, 38-year-old Leona Curran.

Prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court how in the first robbery - which did not involve Curran - the youth targeted a delivery man as he brought pizza, chips and alcohol to an address in the Botcherby area of Carlisle shortly before 1am on January 28.

The man later told police he had immediately noticed two men, their faces hidden under “snood” type hoods.

As he sat in his van, the teenager – who was then aged 16 - leaned into his van and grabbed at the food.

"There was a tugging match between him and one of the males," said Mr Evans, saying the youth threatened to stab the man, though no knife was seen.

The second offence happened just 40 minutes later as the teenager met with a local man, leaning into his car and brandishing a knife while grabbing him.

He uttered threats - including one burn down the man's house - as he used the knife to “prod” the victim's face.

The youth kept demanding to know where the man's money was as he attacked him and threatened him him his family.

The teenager searched the car for money.

The man told the teenager the rest of his money was in the bank.

Curran was also there and at one point, said Mr Evans, told the victim: “You need to do this because he'll carry out his threats.”

Finding no money in the car, the teenager demanded to be taken to the victim’s home. Once there, the man handed over a small amount of cash but the teenager wanted more.

Soon after this, during a second visit to the man’s home, the youth demanded the man get his bank card.

The man was then taken to an ATM machine and Curran sat beside him to ensure the money was withdrawn, said Mr Evans.

She withdrew £380 from the victim’s account after he revealed his pin number.

The youth admitted two robberies, kidnap, and possessing a blade.

Curran denied kidnap and robbery but was convicted after a trial.

Kim Whittlestone, for the youth, said he had learning difficulties and “considerably vulnerable", particularly influenced by others more criminally able.

“With support, he appears to be taking the right path now,” said Miss Whittlestone. A social worker who spoke for the teenager said his life had little positivity in it.

But the youth had engaged well with professionals.

Jeff Smith, for Curran, of Henderson Road, Currock, said that in the six months before her offences she lived in her bedroom, taking drugs and drinking heavily.

There was a background of mental health problems and inappropriate relationships.

"She struggled with addiction," said Mr Smith.

On the day of the offence, she consumed vodka and took heroin, and was not fully aware.

Mr Smith said: "She was presented with the bank card, told the pin number of the bank card, and she went to the cash-point.

"Having got to the cashpoint, she withdrew the cash, returned to count the money, handed it over and then got back into [the victim's] car. She was then taken back to where she was dropped off."

Curran was adamant that she did not see a knife, said Mr Smith.

She no longer consumes alcohol and is having treatment for her mental health.

Recorder Peter Atherton accepted that Curran had shown genuine remorse. But the judge pointed to the impact of the robbery and kidnap on the victim.

"He remains seriously disturbed by those events, suffering anxiety and extreme stress," said the judge.

He jailed Curran for five years.

The teenager - who can not be named for legal reasons - had been through a "torrid time" in his family life, said the judge.

But Recorder Atherton noted the defendant's vulnerability and positive response to social worker intervention.

The judge imposed an 18-month rehabilitation order, with three months of intensive supervision and 25 hours of education and training per week.

There will also be a three month curfew and 91 days of rehabilitation activity.