Mum’s warning after teens robbed at knifepoint in Dewsbury

Now the mother of one of the boys is warning parents to be on their guard.

Zenab Hussain was frantic after hearing the word ‘knife’ when told of the incident over the phone.

“I was screaming and terrified,” she said. “Just hearing that word was awful. This should be a warning to others to watch for this person, especially with it being the school holidays. He could be out on the streets.”

Mrs Hussain raced to the scene of the robbery in Willans Road to find her son, Asad, and his friend with police.

The two 14-year-olds said someone they didn’t know had started talking to them before pulling a knife and demanding Asad’s mobile phone.

“I was so scared but he didn’t hurt me,” said Asad. “I gave him the phone and he went away.”

The teenagers, both pupils at Mirfield Free Grammar School, were pushing their bikes along Willans Road at around 7.30pm on Sunday when they passed the youth. He began talking to them about school.

As they reached an alley leading to Bath Street, the man stopped, drew the knife from his top and threatened Asad. After being given the phone, the robber walked back to Willans Road and headed for Halifax Road.

Asad said: “Nothing like this has happened to us before. It was scary.”

Mother of four Mrs Hussain, who lives off Halifax Road in Dewsbury, said Asad had done the right thing in handing over the phone. But she admits it has made her nervous about any of her children going out.

“Asad and his friend are both good kids,” said Mrs Hussain, 37. “They don’t cause trouble. Asad did not fight back as he is not like that. He did the sensible thing and handed over the phone.

“Maybe they were too trusting and other parents should beware. Apparently the man was polite and friendly so they thought he was okay.”

The phone is a limited edition Blackberry 9300 with a blue chrome frame, so Mrs Hussaqin hopes someone may recognise it if the teen tries to sell it.

The suspect was white, aged 16 to 17 and around 5ft 7in tall. He was slim and wore a black hooded top, black bottoms and carried a black rucksack.

Witnesses should contact DC Peter Usher at Dewsbury CID via 101.