“Is it worth getting stabbed?” – Swansea thugs jailed after terrifying city centre robbery
38‑year‑old Ceri Gibson, of no fixed abode, and 36‑year‑old Christopher Palmer, from Clase, Swansea, targeted a 43‑year‑old man on Page Lane behind St Helen’s Road late at night.
The pair launched a cowardly attack from behind, dragging their victim to the ground. One chillingly asked: “Is it worth getting stabbed over?” while the other rifled through his pockets and stole his mobile phone.
Fearing for his life, the man handed over cash from his other pocket after further threats that he would be stabbed if he resisted.
Facial recognition nailed them
The duo were quickly identified thanks to facial recognition technology and later convicted of robbery.
Gibson was handed an extended nine‑year sentence, while Palmer was jailed for five years.
Detective’s fury at “cowardly attack”
Detective Sergeant Griffiths said the case showed just how dangerous Gibson and Palmer were: “This was a violent robbery during which Ceri Gibson and Christopher Palmer convinced the victim that he was going to be stabbed if he did not hand over his valuable possessions to them.
“This could have happened to anyone. Gibson and Palmer were out on the streets looking for someone who was alone and vulnerable and then cowardly launched their attack from behind.
“This is the second time that these two defendants have been convicted of a robbery which they have committed together.
“These are not the sort of people who are welcome on the streets of Swansea. With hefty sentences for both of them, the city will be better off without their presence for years to come.”
Repeat offenders
Both men have long criminal records. Gibson has dozens of previous convictions including burglary, knife possession and a robbery committed with Palmer back in 2017.
The court heard the pair had prowled Swansea’s streets before, looking for vulnerable victims to rob.
Swansea safer without them
Judge Geraint Walters described the robbery as a “shameful act” carried out against a vulnerable man who stood no chance of defending himself.
With Gibson and Palmer now behind bars, police say Swansea is safer — and residents can be reassured that two repeat offenders are off the streets for years to come.
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