Yob walks free after bid to mug great-gran, 93
BUT COURT REJECTS ATTEMPT BY THE M.E.N. TO IDENTIFY THE THUG
A TEENAGER who tried to mug a 93-year-old great-grandmother has walked free from court despite his victim telling magistrates: “He could have killed me just to get my handbag.”
Eva Jones was waiting to get the bus in Oldham when she was attacked from behind.
A thug tried to rip away her bag, which contained less than £10, and flee. But he was left emptyhanded after Mrs Jones bravely clung on to her possessions.
During the tussle, the greatgrandmother-of-11 fell to the ground, cracking her head on the pavement.
She was taken to hospital, but fortunately her injuries were not life-threatening.
A young man handed himself into police the next day and confessed to the crime.
Earlier this month, he admitted attempted robbery at Tameside Youth Court. Mrs Jones called for him to face serious punishment ahead of his sentencing.
But on Tuesday, magistrates let the 17-year-old go free.
The bench had the option to send the case to crown court, which has greater sentencing powers than the youth court, where the maximum punishment is two years detention.
Instead, magistrates decided against any form of custodial sentence, and handed the boy a 10-month referral order.
It means the teenager must attend regular meetings with the Youth Offending Team and sign a contract promising not to reoffend.
Magistrates also rejected an application made by the M.E.N. and the Press Association to identify the boy.
Prosecutor Resha Seth said she did not believe it was in the public interest to name him.
Chairman of the bench Maurice Sidorczuk said magistrates agreed, adding: “It is not in the best interests of the welfare of [the boy] to remove reporting restrictions.”
The teenager was ordered to pay Mrs Jones £500 in compensation.
The court heard he will pay this by having £10 a week deducted from the £25 he is given as pocket money.
Earlier, magistrates heard how the crime has had a profound impact on Mrs Jones, her family and the Chadderton community where she lives.
Magistrates were shown police photos of the bruising to her legs, arms, hip, hands and the cut to her head.
In a moving impact statement read out in court, Mrs Jones said: “I was confused and shocked and as I was lying on the ground it flashed through my mind ‘this is it, I’m a gonner.’ The looks on my family’s faces brought it home to me – the hurt and anger that we all felt and still do.
“I get constant headaches and struggle sleeping.”
Mrs Jones said the attack has left her scared to go out alone – and that other elderly people living nearby were also afraid.
She went on to address the teenager directly. “What could have been the result? You could have killed me just to get my handbag.”
The teenager spoke briefly to apologise for his actions.
Asked what was going through his head at the time, he replied: “A lot of emotions. I’m truly sorry. I didn’t think of the pain and the consequences of my actions.”