Driver grabbed through window after refusing to hand over cash

A ROBBER grabbed a young driver through his car window as he was parking in Cardiff when he would not give him cash or cigarettes.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Christopher Evans rummaged through the driver’s door pocket and threatened to beat up his teenage victim if he did not hand over the cash he demanded.

Gareth James, prosecuting, said 18-year-old Callum Harrington was “very frightened” by the incident.

The court heard he was approached by two men while parking on Heol-yFelin in Rhiwbina at about 9pm on April 17.

Prosecutors said the defendant leant into the car and asked Mr Harrington for cigarettes, but he did not have any, so he demanded cash instead.

Mr James said: “The defendant kept asking for money and said he would beat him up.”

The court heard Evans grabbed the victim by the arm and rifled through his door pocket. Mr Harrington managed to drive away to a nearby pub and called the police.

Prosecutors said the defendant was tracked by his fingerprints, which were found on the car. He was also picked out at an identity procedure.

Evans was arrested and told officers he was drunk at the time and could not remember the incident.

The court heard he had five previous convictions, including shoplifting and a public order offence.

The 22-year-old, from Oakridge in Thornhill, Cardiff, admitted robbery.

By committing the offence, he also breached a 12-month community order imposed in October last year for assault by beating.

Peter Donnison, defending, said his client is currently working for British Gas.

Judge Eleri Rees previously deferred sentence to see if the defendant would comply fully with an unpaid work requirement.

The defence barrister said his client had completed 52 hours of work since July, arguing he had shown “clear motivation”.

Judge Rees questioned why he had not produced a doctor’s note when he missed an appointment.

She said: “I am going to allow him to keep his liberty, but only just.”

Evans was given a 40-week jail term, suspended for a year, and ordered to complete 240 hours of unpaid work, plus 20 days of a rehabilitation activity.

He must pay £250 towards prosecution costs, £140 towards victim services and £40 in compensation.

The judge told him: “You have come within a hair’s breadth of going down those stairs today.”