Men jailed for knifepoint robbery in Hallowe'en masks at Yorkshire restaurant

Two men who robbed Chinese restaurant staff at knifepoint whilst wearing Hallowe'en masks have been jailed for the terrifying crime.

Joseph Mark Lambert and Jamal Mohammed Rassidou donned the terrifying masks to rob staff at the restaurant on High Street in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire, in November last year.

The two were carrying kitchen knives and demanded staff hand over takings before escaping with £250 in cash.

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York Crown Court heard staff feared they would be stabbed in the incident, which took place on Monday, November 12.

Joseph Lambert (left) and Mohammed Rassidou (right) were jailed for a robbery on a restaurant in Great Ayton, North YorkshireJoseph Lambert (left) and Mohammed Rassidou (right) were jailed for a robbery on a restaurant in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire
Joseph Lambert (left) and Mohammed Rassidou (right) were jailed for a robbery on a restaurant in Great Ayton, North Yorkshire

Tip offs from the community helped detectives track down Lambert and Rassidou, and the two men were both arrested and subsequently charged with robbery and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place. Rassidou was also charged with possession of cannabis.

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Lambert was jailed for five years.

Rassidou was sentenced to a total of 39 months’ detention in a young offender's institution.

York Crown CourtYork Crown Court
York Crown Court

Meanwhile, both were told they must pay a victim surcharge of £170, and court orders were made to forfeit the knives used in the robbery.

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DS Chris Parker-Beagrie, of Northallerton CID, said: “This was a terrifying raid that left restaurant staff in real fear of being stabbed. Thanks to information and intelligence received from the local community, we were able to identify those responsible, and bring them to justice. The sentences they received will ensure the public is protected from these individuals.”