Police release picture of a knife-wielding Sheffield street robber who targeted two teenagers

Sheffield Crown Court heard on November 17 how Pavel Salar, aged 23, of Stradbroke Walk, Richmond, Sheffield, demanded the phones from the two youngsters at knifepoint in Sheffield after he had targeted them in April and May.

Richard Thyne, prosecuting, said an 18-year-old complainant had been walking his dog on April 22 when Salar asked him for the time before producing a knife and demanding his mobile phone and threatening to stab him.

A 16-year-old complainant was also approached by Salar on May 2, according to Mr Thyne, when Salar also asked for the time before pulling-out a knife and demanding his phone.

Police had reported the first incident happened in the Beaver Hill Road area of Handsworth and the second happened on a trail near Richmond Avenue, Handsworth.

Judge Graham Reeds QC told Salar: “In April and May, this year, when on bail for drug offences or under investigation, you robbed two young people of their phones at knifepoint.”

He added: “You had a knife or other bladed article on each occasion which was produced and on each occasion you threatened each youngster.”

Mr Thyne added that previously Salar had been caught at his former property on Foxhill Road, Sheffield, in October, 2018, with £2,450 worth of crack-cocaine and heroin which was found hanging in a bag from a tree outside his bedroom.

Salar, who has previous convictions including two robberies and an attempted robbery, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, two counts of robbery and two counts of possesing a bladed article in public.

Edward Moss, defending, said: “He’s only 23. There is a great deal of immaturity and a great deal of growing up to do.”

He added Salar is an Iraqi Kurd who had a difficult up-bringing without a father-figure and he struggled with dyslexia and on occasion turned to alcohol and drugs.

Judge Reeds who regards Salar as someone who poses a risk of committing further offences sentenced him to six years of custody.

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