Robber stole wallet from disabled man
THUG WRESTLED VICTIM TO THE GROUND FOR CASH
A ROBBER wrestled a disabled man to the ground and stole his wallet in front of shocked shoppers on a busy city centre street.
Gary Hodgson pounced on his victim from behind and pushed him to the floor in a bid to rifle through his pockets.
Having stolen the victim’s wallet and cigarettes, the 40-year-old then brandished a pair of scissors to warn back passers-by as he tried to flee the scene.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that the victim, who was registered disabled and moved with a limp, was walking along busy Northumberland Street, in Newcastle, when he was targeted by Hodgson in broad daylight on January 8 this year.
Neil Pallister, prosecuting, said the attack was captured on CCTV.
“He [the victim] is clearly seen walking with a limp,” Mr Pallister added. “He was grabbed from behind, wrestled to the floor and his wallet was taken.
“Immediately after the robbery, the defendant walked away and members of the public followed him.
“That caused the defendant to stop and he produced the pair of scissors, which he brandished to scare away people who are following him.”
In a statement, the victim said he was “upset”, adding: “I regularly visited the town alone but after this I wouldn’t feel safe attending alone.
“I am registered disabled and use my bus pass so I can visit friends and leave my home.
“The incident has left me isolated, which will make day-to-day life much harder.”
Hodgson, of Rowan Court, Forest Hall, North Tyneside, who has convictions for 116 previous offences, including robberies, pleaded guilty to robbery, affray and possession of a bladed article.
Jailing him for three-and-a-halfyears, Judge Penny Moreland told him: “Northumberland Street is a main shopping street in Newcastle, used by all sorts of people, including elderly, families, people with children.
“No one should have to witness the level of violence you displayed on that afternoon.
“Most significantly, he is a disabled person. It is quite clear from the CCTV, from the way he walks and his appearance that he is disabled. I regard it as a highly aggravating feature you robbed a disabled person.
“I am satisfied you targeted him because you thought he was weaker than you and unlikely to put up a fight if you were to take property from him.”
Richard Herrmann, defending, said Hodgson had pleaded guilty but accepted his criminal record was “horrendous”.
Mr Herrmann also asked the judge to bear in mind the current situation in prisons amidst the coronavirus crisis, where prisoners can only leave their cell for an hour a day.