Aaran Hudson
A robber who held buyers from website Gumtree at knifepoint to steal cash and mobile phones has been jailed.
Aaran Hudson, 25, got into three of his victims' cars after making up rare comic collections which he purported to be selling.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, one count of theft and three counts of possessing a knife and was jailed at Nottingham Crown Court for seven years and four months.
Hudson, formerly of Morrell Avenue, Oxford, responded to a man on Gumtree who was looking to buy tickets for the Download music festival.
They arranged to meet in Manvers Street, Netherfield, Nottinghamshire. When they met, on May 29 this year, Hudson got into the victim's car and pulled out a knife, stealing £650 and a mobile phone.
Two days later, Hudson met with a man who was looking to buy rare comic books. Police said Hudson lied that he was selling comics that belonged to his grandfather and gave the seller serial numbers which seemed to be genuine.
They met in Arthur Street, Netherfield, where Hudson got into the back of the buyers' car and held a knife to the driver's throat and stole money.
In the third attempted robbery, Hudson had said his uncle had died and left some valuable Star Wars memorabilia which he wanted to sell. He met the buyer in Midland Road, Carlton, on June 3 where he pulled out a knife and held it to his face.
The victim grabbed the knife which broke and Hudson fled the scene with nothing, police said.
Temporary Detective Inspector at Nottinghamshire Police Richard Monk said: "The hard work of all the officers and staff involved in this investigation has resulted in a very dangerous person receiving a substantial custodial sentence for their actions.
"Hudson thought that he had found an easy way to make money - by taking advantage of well-meaning people then using the threat of violence to get what he wanted.
"It shouldn't be dangerous to buy and sell online but unfortunately there is a minority of people out there who want to take advantage of those people using the sites set up for that purpose."