Man robbed in city centre by ‘flirting beggars’
“FLIRTING” beggars lured a man who had given them cash to a secluded spot, where he was bitten and robbed.
The victim had been on a night out in Newcastle when he saw Aaron Angus and his pal asking for money and so handed over some coins and notes.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the pair asked the stranger if he wanted to go “somewhere more private” and he believed the men were “flirting” and so agreed.
But prosecutor Andrew Finlay told the court: “Both put their hands into his pockets, one was trying to get his wallet and Angus was trying to get his phone.
“He resisted, keeping his hands in his pockets and a struggle ensued.
“He was then bitten by the defendant, which caused him to take his hands out of his pockets.”
The court heard the victim’s wallet contained £80 cash and a bank card, that the robbers used to buy themselves a £13.43 McDonald’s meal.
Angus used the card again at two convenience stores, where he spent £24.32 and £28.45.
The victim said in a statement: “I feel scared and vulnerable.
“I feel like a fool.”
The court heard the bite mark was still visible two months later.
While on bail for the December 2018 attack, Angus broke into a Best One shop on Grainger Street in the city, when it was closed during lockdown in March 2020.
Cigarettes, worth £980 and tobacco, worth £280, were taken during the break-in, where damage was also caused.
In February this year, Angus was caught carrying a large screw when police were called to trouble that broke out at McDonald’s on Grainger Street.
Angus, 40, of Tamworth Road, Newcastle, admitted robbery, fraud, bur
glary and having an offensive weapon.
Judge Penny Moreland sentenced him to five years behind bars, to which he responded: “Eee, I can’t f****** believe that.”
The judge told him: “You were begging in the city centre in the early hours of the morning and a man was kind enough to stop and give you some money.
“You kept him in conversation and then, it seems, lured him to a secluded spot where you and your co-accused who was with you robbed him.
“That robbery included the use of violence by you biting his hand so that you could take his phone and wallet.”
Geoff Knowles, defending, said Angus was sleeping on the streets at the time of the robbery and his only source of income was through begging. Mr Knowles said Angus would use the cash he made through begging to buy drink and drugs and added: “He has very limited recollection of what occurred on that night.”
Mr Knowles said being remanded in custody has “transformed” Angus as it has forced him to face his drug and alcohol problems.
Angus’ accomplice was dealt with previously at Teesside Crown Court for the offence and other matters.