Drunken thug’s cowardly attack

A teenage menace who attacked and robbed a man with learning difficulties has been sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders’ institute.

Jason Stewart (19), of Spring Street, Oldham, pounced on Luke McGrail (19), who has a mental age of six, as he was walking along Hollins Road on January 26.

Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, heard how Stewart, who had been drinking heavily, punched McGrail then sat on him while he looted his victim of valuables.

He took Mr McGrail’s mobile phone before punching him again.

He then warned: “If you go to the police, it will get 10 times worse,” said Steven wild, prosecuting.

Jonathan Savage, defending, said: “The offence was motivated by drink. When he drinks alcohol he gets into fights. This wasn’t a premeditated attack on this young man and the injuries sustained were minimal.

“No weapon was used and it was committed in broad daylight. He has shown genuine remorse.”

Stewart pleaded guilty to robbery.

Judge Jonathan Foster QC said: “You drink far too much and your behaviour is out of control.

“It’s right to say that you did use significant force in that you man handled, punched and sat on your victim.

“But you did not cause him serious injury which I will take into account.

“You are also a young man and your record is not that bad.

“You do have offences against you but taking into account their totality, there’s only one serious offence.

“The other were results of drunken behaviour.

“The use of violence is an aggravating factor but whether you knew the victim was vulnerable is irrelevant. He was.”