Two men who carried out a series of violent robberies in the Selby area have been jailed for a total of 16 years.
The pair were jailed at York Crown Court on Friday 10 June 2011 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to three robberies and an attempted robbery.
Stephen Robert Wainwright
29-year-old Stephen Robert Wainwright, aka “Sunny”, of Brackenhill Lane, Brayton, and 28-year-old David Lee Tolson, aka “Dee”, of Manor Garth, Kellington, were charged jointly with two offences of robbery and one of attempted robbery. Wainwright was also charged with a third robbery.
Both men were given eight years’ imprisonment for each of the offences, all to run concurrently.
The robberies took place in January and February of this year in the D’Arcy Court, Woodville Terrace and Buller Street areas of Selby and involved frightening violence.
The pair either tricked or forced their way into the homes of their victims before assaulting them and demanding money.
At one house they wielded a hammer to make threats, caused facial injuries with a kitchen knife to a man and even threw a bicycle at a woman in the property.
At another house a woman and her four children were present when Wainwright and Tolson burst their way in through the back door and attacked the male occupant of the house.
Detective Sergeant Steve Wilson of Selby CID, who investigated the robberies, said: “Wainwright and Tolson picked on people who they thought would not fight back for justice and were vicious in their attacks and threats. They simply did not care who got hurt or who else was caught up in their actions.
“Although the various victims in this case were left very traumatised and frightened by what happened, they had the courage to come forward and give evidence against two very violent men. They are a great example to others who may be concerned about giving evidence and should be applauded for their stance against these violent thugs.”
David Lee Tolson
DS Wilson added: “The victims are very satisfied with the result which we hope will encourage others to come forward and report violent offenders to the police.
“Their actions in coming forward and providing the necessary evidence to convict the pair, has resulted in two extremely dangerous individuals being taken off the streets. We hope the sentences offer some peace of mind to the victims and the wider Selby community.
“North Yorkshire Police are committed to ensuring offenders face justice for their actions, and this case shows what can be achieved when the public and the police work together.”
