Judge Sampson described the robbery in Newark as a cynical, mean and nasty attack
A man with 24 previous convictions has been jailed for robbery after what a judge described as a cynical, mean and nasty attack.
Thomas Radford, 21, of London Road, Newark, admitted robbery at Nottingham Crown Court over the theft of a wallet on February 4. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Mr Stuart Pattinson, prosecuting, said Radford’s victim had had six alcoholic drinks in a town pub.
He described himself in his witness statement as being a seven out of ten on a scale of drunkenness.
He then walked into Newark Market Place where he saw two people he knew, and Radford was with them.
The men shared a few drinks from a bottle of vodka, and the victim left soon after when he realised he was starting to feel very drunk.
The next thing he remembered, he got back to his house but couldn’t find his keys and had to be let into the house by a friend.
The following morning he realised he had several injuries, including a cut lip, a cut to the side of his nose, a lump on his forehead, and a sore back.
His rucksack, bag of groceries, keys, and wallet, which contained £8 in cash, his bank card and driving licence, were missing.
CCTV footage showed the victim walking unsteadily down Lombard Street, where Radford caught him up opposite Traditional Barbers, knocked him over and stole his wallet from his jeans pocket, before punching him in the face.
Newark Police responded within four minutes and arrested Radford.
In his victim statement, the victim said the incident had exacerbated his mental health struggles.
The court was told Radford had nine previous convictions for 24 criminal offences.
Mr Andrew Wesley, defending, said at some point during the night, a drunken argument over money had broken out.
He said his client had been seeing a member of the New Directions — a drug and alcohol service for adults — in a bid to get his life back on track.
The court heard Radford had suffered a personal trauma in 2016 which had affected him deeply, and he drank to manage that.
He also has the support of his family, including letters submitted to the court by his mother, step-father and grandmother to argue that he was a reformed character.
Judge James Sampson said Radford had been given chance after chance and nothing had prevented him from re-offending.
He said: “Having watched the CCTV, I can see that it was a cynical, mean, and nasty attack on a man who was vulnerable due his inebriation.
“You knocked him over and rifled through his pockets, punched him in the face, and left him helpless on the floor.
“Since the incident, you have turned a corner and shown some signs of addressing your problems.
“It is clear that there are many people who love you and think you are a better person than the one we saw on the CCTV. I’m sorry, but you have to take responsibility and face the consequences of your actions.”
After sentencing, Radford said “love you mum” to his distraught mother as he was taken into custody and there were emotional outbursts from other members of his family in the public gallery.
