ROBBERS stole a Highworth boy’s iPhone then later videoed themselves enjoying dinner.

Kairo Theophilus-Reid, 21, was spared an immediate prison sentence after a judge at Swindon Crown Court heard he had kept out of trouble since the robbery in 2019 and his partner was expecting twins.

Sentencing him to a year’s imprisonment suspended for 18 months, Recorder James Watson QC said: “In some senses, actions can speak as loudly as words. 

“I have read the contents of the references provided by you and by your family, the disappointment they feel, the efforts which your partner has made to ask you to address and try to influence your previous lifestyle and has done so with some success and I note she also is present in court today. 

“They all speak as loudly as the words in the letters.” 

Prosecutor Alec Small earlier told the court Theophilus-Reid, then aged 19, and relative Charlie Graham, pulled up alongside two boys – just 15 and 16 – near the Highworth Co-op store in 2019. 

The older men were in a Vauxhall Corsa and the boys became aware of the car passing them slowly then pulling into the Co-op car park.

The boys turned into a passageway by the supermarket. The two occupants shouted after and asked about their phones. 

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Co-operative, Highworth Picture: GOOGLE

Theophilus-Reid told one boy: “Don’t treat us like mugs, give us your stuff.” He then tried to headbutt him but missed, landing a glancing blow on the victim’s chin. 

The two men made threats to stab the boys and Theophilus-Reid held his hand inside his bag as if he had a knife, although no blade was produced. They took an iPhone 7 from one boy and a wallet containing £75 from the other.

The boys saw the car parked up by a playing field, where they were meeting friends. They memorised the numberplate then called their parents. 

Police later arrested the men at Reading services as they headed towards London. On the phone was a video shot the night before showing them at a Swindon restaurant just hours after the robbery. 

Theophilus-Reid, of Southwold Street, Hackney, admitted robbery. 

Rupert Hallowes, mitigating, said his client had matured and cut ties with former associates. His partner was pregnant with twins and he worked in the family takeaway. 

He must do 100 hours of unpaid work and up to 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days. 

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