A MAN and a woman who robbed a 71-year-old man at knifepoint have been jailed.

Jesse Lewis, 23, and 31-year-old Chantel Gibbs crept up on their victim from behind as he stopped at a cash point outside Nationwide in Highbridge Street, Waltham Abbey.

Lewis, of Mead Court, Waltham Abbey, waved a 12in carving knife in front of the man.

Meanwhile, Gibbs, of Dorchester Avenue, Hoddesdon, held a 10in knife to his throat and forced him to withdraw £250 from the cash machine at about 5am on October 15 last year.

The man, who was on his way to work at the time of the robbery, has suffered flashbacks and will not use a cash machine, a court was told.

Lewis was jailed for four years and eight months at Chelmsford Crown Court on March 8 and Gibbs, who is a mother of four, was given three years in prison.

Lewis admitted robbery and having a weapon in a public place and Gibbs admitted robbery and carrying a knife at the court in February.

Detective Constable Mike Penn, who investigated the case, said: “It was a cowardly attack on an elderly man, who was forced at knife point to withdraw cash.

“We're pleased that the sentence reflects the severity of the offence.”

The victim, who asked not to be named, told police he wanted to try and forget about the ordeal.

“I'm pleased that the man and woman were brought to justice quickly and got what they deserved,” he added.