Two men who robbed an off-duty cop with a fake gun in Bedford and then laughed about it afterwards have been sentenced to a total of 15 years in custody.
The pair, who were part of a team, took ‘gangster’ style photos of themselves with the ‘gun’, which were found shortly after the terrifying attack.
They were unaware at the time that their victim was a police officer.
But Judge Barbara Mensah told them: “He was a man walking alone in the middle of the night and so he was vulnerable.
“He was ambushed by somebody putting a gun to his head.
“He was pulled to the ground and his eyes were covered and he was violently robbed.
“The gun may have been imitation but that is of little comfort to the victim who had it poked to his head and I have heard evidence that you laughed after the robbery and childishly adopted gangster like poses for photographs.
“You thought it was funny to rob someone at gun-point, putting them in immense fear.
“Both of you are dangerous young men who glory in following dishonest and violent life styles.”
Previously a jury at Luton Crown Court had convicted Marco Sellitto, 21, and Sergio Brunhoso, 18, of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
Sellitto, of Crowe Road, Bedford was also found guilty of another street robbery three months earlier. He was sentenced to a total of nine years imprisonment.
Brunhoso, of Barkers Lane, Bedford was given six years in custody.
Both men had denied all the offences. Another man involved was sentenced earlier this year and another awaits sentence.
