A serial street robber who threatened to slash a 13-year-old girl’s face with a carving knife in Holloway has been jailed for four years.

Dean Camilis, 18, of Hornsey Rise Gardens, Holloway, spent a week between November 5 and 11 roaming the streets terrifying girls with the nine-inch blade before taking cash and valuables.

Blackfriars Crown Court heard one of his victims was a teenage girl who rejected Camilis when he asked for her phone number in Sussex Way, Holloway.

Prosecutor Joseph Boothley said: “The 13-year-old girl was on her own when she was approached by this defendant and another and she heard them say ‘I think she needs a slash.’ He then took out the knife and showed it to the girl, who handed over cash, he added.

On November 11 this year he was stopped by the police and admitted having the knife on him. Siew Loke, defending, said: “No one was actually physically hurt during these offences, which did not cause any physical trauma. There is nothing to show that he would ever use the knife.” She also said his father was helping him get his life back on track.

Sentencing, Judge David Richardson said: “I am concerned that these attacks targeted vulnerable people and there is a considerable risk that a continuation of these offences would have led to violence.”

Camilis admitted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. He asked for six other similar attacks to be taken in to consideration.

He was told that he would serve an additional two years on license after his release.

“The imprisonment has some mercy with some protection for the public. If you demonstrate the confidence your father has in you then there may be an end in sight. If not you will be back in prison,” the judge added.