FOUR people have been sentenced to a total of more than 14 years in custody after pleading guilty to robbing a man in Barnsley town centre on VE Day.

Kieron Yates, 19, James Steven Upton, 25, Ryan Edward Houlston, 34, and Jodie Louise Heppenstall, 21, have been jailed following the incident in The Arcade on May 8.

All pleaded guilty to robbery and Heppenstall was also charged with common assault, when they appeared at Sheffield Crown Court today (Thursday July 23).

Yates, of no fixed abode, was jailed for four years.

Upton, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years and nine months.

Houlston, formerly of Bank End Avenue, Worsbrough, received a custodial sentence of three years and four months.

Heppenstall, formerly of Princess Street, Barnsley, will serve a three-year sentence.

Investigating officer PC Rosie O'Grady, said: "This was a particularly shocking attack.

In Text Promo Image

“The victim endured an extremely distressing and entirely unprovoked ordeal, all for a mobile phone and a packet of cigarettes.

"I'm very pleased with today's result, and for getting justice for the completely innocent victim.

“I hope it shows that such horrendous behaviour will not be tolerated in our community.

“The actions of Yates, Upton, Houlston and Heppenstall that day left local residents, and people across the country, horrified and I'm glad they have all quite rightly been handed custodial sentences."