A MUGGER and his girlfriend have been found guilty of trying to rob five youngsters on their way home from a night out in Finchley.

Douglas Chima, 24, of Clements Close, is facing 15 months in jail after threatening to stab the five men with a knife after approaching them at Tally Ho Corner in the early hours of May 8.

His girlfriend Leigh Cole, 23, of Budd Close, was sentenced to 100 hours of community service at wood Green Crown Court on Monday for her part in the “terrifying ordeal”.

The pair stopped the group and demanded they turn out their pockets, with Chime threatening to “shank” anyone who didn't.

They started searching the victims, but one ran off and while the pair chased them the others phoned police, who quickly arrived and arrested both of them.

A search of Chima revealed he did not have a knife on him.

Detective Constable Simon Hunt, of Barnet CID, said: “Although nothing was stolen this was a terrifying ordeal “But it was the quick thinking of the victims, who quickly called police and gave detailed descriptions, which led to the swift arrest of these two criminals.

“Their evidence helped secure a unanimous verdict of guilty by the jury and I pay tribute to their courage.”