Woman given suspended sentence for role in robbery of 63-year-old

A ROBBERY victim was knocked to the ground and had a noxious liquid squirted into his face as he walked home from a pub in Leeds.

The man suffered a chipped bone to his elbow as his wallet and mobile phone were stolen during the incident in Beeston.

Leeds Crown Court heard the 63-year-old was making his way home from The Broadway, in Dewsbury Road, when he was targeted by a man on a bike.

Ian Cook, prosecuting, said the robber used his mobile phone to take a photo of the victim as he rode past him.

He then had a conversation in the street with a defendant, Joanne Towning, before again cycling up to the victim and attacking him from behind.

The victim was pushed to the ground and had liquid squirted in his face, causing his eyes to sting.

The victim then heard a voice saying: “Get his wallet and mobile phone.” Both items were taken before the attacker cycled away. Police were contacted and a syringe was found on the floor near to where the attack took place.

Mr Cook said the syringe contained an “unknown organic material” which is believed to have been used during the robbery. The wallet contained a £20 note and a bank card. Towning, 42, used the bank card to buy items from a nearby petrol station.

Towning, of Shakespeare Close, Burmantofts, pleaded guilty to robbery and fraud. She was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Towning was also made the subject of an electronicallymonitored curfew order for six months.

The other robber has not been identified.