Dylan Jacobs threatened boys with a knife on a Box Hill tram

A man who held a knife to two schoolboys and threatened to kill them on a tram in Box Hill has escaped a prison sentence.

The attempted armed robbery occurred on a tram in Box Hill. Picture: Paul Loughnan

A man who held a knife to two schoolboys and threatened to kill them on a tram in Box Hill has escaped a prison sentence.

Dylan Jacobs, 37, was ordered to complete a community corrections order when he went before the County Court on April 8, after pleading guilty to the 2014 attempted armed robbery.

The court heard the schoolboys boarded a tram on Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill, about 2.40pm on February 13, 2014, and sat near Jacobs, who proceeded to ask them if they had phone credit and if they “did ice or weed”.

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When the boys said they did not, Jacobs responded, “If I don’t get what I want I’m gonna f---ing kill you”.

The school boys got on a tram in Box Hill, where the altercation with Jacobs occurred. Picture: Paul Loughnan

The court heard Jacobs stood in front one of the boys as he tried to leave and said, “Sit down, you’re not going anywhere, if you don’t give me what I want in 10 minutes I will kill you,” then pulled a knife out of his pocket.

The 32-year-old demanded the boy open his wallet, before repeating the boy would not leave the tram alive if he did not get what he wanted.

He told the other boy to look away and cover his ears.

The boys managed to run off the tram when it came to a stop.

The court heard Jacobs ran off after the youths started screaming while other commuters encouraged the boys to run.

The incident was reported to police but Jacobs was not arrested until August after one of the boys recognised him at Box Hill Central shopping centre.

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Judge Frank Gucciardo said Jacobs was not charged until June 10, 2015 because he did not turn up to multiple hearings.

After pleading guilty, he served 29 days in custody before being released on bail.

He then missed five court hearings, prompting warrants for his arrest.

The court heard Jacobs was mainly living on the streets during that time, but since April 2016 had been involved in a Sacred Heart Missions social inclusion program and had maintained a tenancy in social housing.

Judge Gucciardo said while Jacobs once suffered a “severe” heroin addiction, he had not returned to drugs during the program.

Jacobs was arrested after one of the boys recognised him at Box Hill Central months later. Photo: James Ross

He said Jacobs had also apologised to the two boys he confronted during the offence.

“I accept that you were and are remorseful for this conduct,” he told Jacobs.

He ordered Jacobs serve a two-year community corrections order, including 80 hours unpaid community work, combined with the 29 days he had already served in custody.

Judge Gucciardo said he would have handed down a sentence of 10 months’ imprisonment had Jacobs not pleaded guilty.

He encouraged the 37-year-old to continue his “good behaviour”.

“This order is primarily designed to enable you to continuing opportunity to continue to support yourself in the community,” the judge said.

“You don’t have to be anchored and constrained by your background for the rest of your life”.