Two teenage thugs armed themselves with a two-foot long machete - then terrorised and robbed another youth from Southend.

The brutal pair ordered 19-year-old Craig Edwards back to his tiny YMCA bedsit in Southend and threatened to slice his throat with the knife.

Then Mr Edwards, still shaking with fear, was forced to carry more than £700 of his belongings from the flat.

The property, which included a stereo unit, video and cassettes, was never recovered, said Robert Neill, prosecuting at Basildon Crown Court.

Mr Neill added that Edwards was warned by 17-year-old Lee Whyte: "If you squeal, I will get some people from London to deal with you."

Accomplice Philip Day, 15, also advised the victim to say nothing.

But defiant Mr Edwards ignored the threats and went to a police station where he described the machete allegations.

He was supported by evidence of security video cameras showing Whyte and Day going into the YMCA building.

Whyte, of Satanita Road, Westcliff, was said to own the knife while Day, of Branksome Road, Southend, was seen brandishing it on camera.

Mr Neill said when the two were questioned they blamed each other for their threats on Mr Edwards. Both pleaded guilty to robbery.

Day, who has previous convictions for possessing a weapon and having cannabis, was put on a two-year supervision order.

Whyte, who also admitted a £10,000 burglary on a remote house in Canewdon, was sent to a young offenders' institution for two years.

He was said to have a string of previous convictions, including burglary, wounding with intent, handling stolen goods, criminal damage and aggravated vehicle taking.

Whyte was told by Judge Daniel Worsley that the attack on Mr Edwards was a "vicious, frightening and mean offence".

The judge said Whyte, who came from a broken home, appeared to be on a criminal course that will destroy him.

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