TWO 28-year-olds have admitted robbing a man of a mobile phone and Xbox games console.

Ianlea Wilkinson and Anthony William Moorhead appeared before Carlisle Crown Court yesterday via video link.

They were jointly accused of robbing Harry Sayce on June 5 this year.

Moorhead, of Spencer Street in Carlisle city centre, admitted that offence at a hearing yesterday.

He also faced a separate charge of arson with intent to endanger life.

Moorhead denied that offence but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of reckless arson.

Moorhead had lifted the letterbox to a residential home, while another individual - not identified in court - posted a firework inside.

This plea was agreed with the Crown Prosecution Service.

Wilkinson, of John Street Hostel in Carlisle, had previously admitted the same charge of robbing Harry Sayce at an earlier hearing on July 7.

During the incident, smoke damage was caused to wallpaper and a doormat inside the home.

The cost of the damage was unknown.

Gerard Rogerson, prosecuting the arson, told the court: “He (Moorhead) was the man holding open the letterbox.

"He was joined at this address by a second, unidentified individual.”

Recorder Ciaran Rankin told Moorhead: “This is criminal damage by fire effectively. There doesn’t seem to be anything lurking in the background psychologically.

“I don’t think a pre-sentence report could assist the court with sentence.”

The pair will be sentenced for the two separate incidents when they appear back before the crown court next Tuesday.

They will both again appear via video link.

Again addressing Moorhead, Recorder Rankin added: “Now you have entered pleas Mr Moorhead that are acceptable, we can’t proceed with sentence today because we have a lot of other matters on the list.

“Next Tuesday you will be sentenced for all matters to which you have now pleaded guilty.

“On the basis that you have now pleaded guilty, in the meantime you will be remanded in custody.”