Shirtless mugger was identified because of distinctive tattoos
THE brave victim of a violent attack at the hands of a tattooed Derby robber has spoken of how he felt “powerless” as he was repeatedly punched.
The 59-year-old man was attacked by shirtless John Christon, of Willowcroft Road, Spondon, who took his bank card during the mugging.
The victim, who did not wish to be named, was left in need of stitches and with a bloody nose and bruising following the attack in Beeston, on Monday, October 11, 2021.
Christon, 33, was unable to take any money from the card after being given a fake PIN number.
He was caught on CCTV trying to take £250 from his victim’s account, and was identified thanks to a number of distinctive tattoos, including one on his neck, after being pulled over in his getaway car on October 12, last year. He was jailed for three years and nine months at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.
Now the victim has shared their account of events that night. He originally believed that Christon was a jogger as he walked down Station Road on the night of the attack.
He said: “Before I knew what was happening, I was punched in the face. The blow knocked my glasses off and just stunned me a bit.
“My attacker didn’t say anything at first and just kept hitting me in the face.
“It was a very stressful situation as
I was really powerless to do anything.
“I was no physical match for him so I couldn’t fight him or even outrun him. I really just wanted him to stop hitting me before he did some real damage.
“I remember at the time wondering when he was actually going to get around to telling me what he wanted, and I had to ask him.
“Thankfully I have no other similar experience to compare them against, but I think the officers involved in this case did a really good job to move so quickly and get a suspect in custody. In the weeks since I have been given regular updates about the case and am now relieved and happy that this man has been brought to justice.”
Christon, who was shirtless during the attack, was seen trying to take cash from an ATM in Alfreton Road, Radford, following the robbery, before Derbyshire police officers apprehended him the next day.
He offered no comment in his interview, but later pleaded guilty to counts of robbery and fraud by false representation.
Detective Constable Andrew Sibley, of Nottinghamshire police, said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the victim who had been enjoying a late night walk at the time of the attack.
“Nobody should fear being assaulted and robbed as they are going about their business, so I am delighted that Christon has now been taken off the streets.”