A ROBBER who stalked a couple for an hour before trying to steal £11,000 in cash has been jailed.

Argentinian national Pedro Figueroa, 53, of no fixed address, admitted committing one count of robbery in Park End Street, Oxford, on March 26 this year.

Together with 20-year-old Marcel Guzman Robinson, of Holland Park, London, he targeted Lithuanian couple Ricardas Burinskis and Vilma Burinskiene.

Jonathan Stone, prosecuting at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, said the robbers saw their victims withdraw £11,000 in cash from a bank in Cornmarket Street, Oxford.

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He told Judge Peter Ross the couple had been saving the money to buy a house in their home country and carried it in a rucksack as they walked to the train station.

The barrister said they were followed by the two defendants until they drew level with the Said Business School, in Park End Street, when the younger man attacked Mr Burinskis, punching him in the face and kicking him when he fell to the ground.

Mr Stone said Figueroa grabbed the rucksack containing the money and struggled with Mrs Burinskiene as she tried to keep hold of it, cutting into her hands. Eventually she had to release it and the robber ran a short distance away, where he paused and his victims were able to catch up and snatch the bag back.

Figueroa was then apprehended by members of the public, who wrestled him to the ground.

Claire Fraser, defending, said her client had no previous convictions and had a change of heart after grabbing the rucksack.

She said: “As soon as he committed the offence he regretted it immediately.

“He feels deeply ashamed of his behaviour.”

Judge Ross told Figueroa: “You stalked this couple with one intention only, namely to rob them.”

He sentenced him to 40 months in prison and told him to pay a £120 victims’ surcharge.

Judge Ross added that after he is released it is likely Figueroa will be held by the UK Border Agency and deported.

His co-defendant will be sentenced today.

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