A robber who threatened a couple with a knife has been jailed for five years.
Peter Learmonth and Collette Bisseker approached the victims as they were driving out of the Aldi car park in Magdalen Street, Colchester, in the early hours of New Year’s Day.
The pair asked the man and woman if they were there to buy drugs.
When they said no, Learmonth demanded money and reached through the driver’s window to remove the keys from the ignition.
Learmonth held a knife to the 33-year-old man’s throat and Bisseker also started demanding money. She got into the car and starting punching the 27-year-old woman, who tried to call 999 on her mobile phone.
Bisseker took the phone from her and the victim managed to get out and run to passers-by for help.
Learmonth and Bisseker left the scene but were arrested five days later in Little Cornard.
The pair were charged with robbery and assault with intent to commit robbery. They denied the charges but were found guilty by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court.
Learmonth was jailed for five years. A five year restraining order was also granted. Bisseker was given a two-year jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
