Brothers jailed over 'terrifying' knifepoint robbery in Luton

Jamie Rayson, 21, and Declan Rayson, 19, both of Hetcham Close, Luton, carried out the robbery on June 28 last year.

At around 2pm that day, the victim drove to Luton with the aim of selling a mobile phone he had advertised online.

When he arrived at the agreed location, Jamie Rayson pulled out a large knife and held it against the victim’s throat, demanding that he leave his vehicle.

After the victim fled the car, Jamie and Declan Rayson drove off from the scene.

The vehicle was flagged to the police shortly after midnight on June 29, after ANPR cameras recognised it as stolen. A police patrol saw the car driving erratically before locating it in St James Close in Luton. Both brothers were found hiding in a nearby garden.

Jamie Rayson was sentenced to four-and-a-half years for robbery and six months for threatening a person with a knife and these will run consecutively.

Declan Rayson was sentenced to four years and three months for robbery, theft, dangerous driving and other driving offences.

Both will serve their sentence in a young offender institution.

PC Jordan Lancaster said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the unsuspecting victim and we are satisfied that the length of their sentences reflect the seriousness of their actions.

“We hope these sentencings acts as a stark warning to other like-minded offenders looking to benefit from other people’s misery.

“Additionally, we would like to reassure our communities that we are dedicated to protecting our neighbourhoods and we will continue to bring such offenders to justice.”