Search for
Search for
Search for'Impulsive' robber jailed after Henbury mugging
Monday, July 21, 2008, 09:20
Lee Sarkozi yanked his victim's handbag away in Crow Lane, Henbury, pulling her to the ground as he cycled past.
A judge at Bristol Crown Court heard how the robbery left 37-year-old Isabelle Edwards, who has learning difficulties, shocked and too scared to leave her home.
The 29-year-old defendant, of Long Cross, Lawrence Weston, was arrested after a woman who knew him and saw the robbery reported him to the police.He initially denied the offence but later admitted a single charge of robberyand asked for three further offences of dishonesty to be taken into consideration.
Brian Pixton, prosecuting at Bristol Crown Court, said Ms Edwards was looked after by a carer but had enjoyed being independent and was walking in Crow Lane towards her favourite shops when she was robbed on the evening of June 18 this year.
“She had her handbag in her left hand and the defendant was on his bike and as he passed her he grabbed the hand bag and kept going,” said Mr Pixton.
He said the force of the snatch made her fall, hurting an elbow and her hands.
It also caused the defendant to wobble into the path of a car which screeched to a halt.
Mr Pixton said the woman driver heard Ms Edwards cries for help and drove after Sarkozi but lost him.He said the defendant had been recognised by female relative who reported him to the police and he was arrested on July 8.
He was forced to admit the robbery after he was identified by her.In a statement Ms Edwards said the robbery had left her “very scared about going out of the house again.”
Matthew Comer, defending, said his client had not targeted the woman because she was vulnerable and said the robbery had been impulsive.
Jailing Sarkozi for 21 months, Judge Richard Bromilow told him what he did was “wholly reprehensible.”
He added: “You didn't think about the effect of what you were doing on this woman who in a public place has her handbag snatched and I'm quite sure she's been significantly shaken up and worried by what you did, so much so that her life, modestly led, has been significantly disrupted.”
Comment on this story