Violent Manchester city centre robbers jailed over two terrifying thefts

Two men who carried out a terrifying pair of robberies in Manchester city centre have been jailed.

A court heard how Michal Czerniawski, 36, and Michal Kardas, 37, approached a man on Dale Street in November last year and demanded his bag while punching him in the face. A brave passer-by ran over to help and they fled.

Later that evening, they targeted a man walking beside the canal in Ancoats and Kardas put the victim in a headlock while the pair shouted at him to hand over money. Czerniawski lifted the victim up by his legs, leaving him fearing that he would be thrown into the canal.

Czerniawski proceeded to punch the victim to his stomach, while Kardas gripped his neck so tightly that he fell unconscious before coming round to the pair demanding the pin code to his mobile phone before then leaving with the phone.

The defendants were arrested after the first victim spotted the pair walking in the city centre the following Sunday and alerted police.

What happened at court?

Czerniawski was jailed for four years and five months, after being found guilty of robbery and attempted robbery.

Kardas was jailed for four years and six months, after also being found guilty of robbery and attempted robbery.

PC Benjamin John, of GMPs Operation Valiant team, said: “ These incidents were terrifying for the victims who were simply going about their day. No one should have to feel scared when walking around in public and I am pleased that these two men are now facing a jail term for their despicable actions.

“The investigation into the incident was undertaken by GMPs Operation Valiant team – the forces response to cracking down on personal robberies across Greater Manchester, which has seen some great results since it started in 2018.”