Darlington thief targeted vulnerable women in crime spree

Wayne Robinson targeted the pensioners when they were out doing their shopping and either grabbed their handbags or snatched their purses in a series of daylight thefts.

The 33-year-old, who refused legal representation, told a judge he would represent himself during his sentencing hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

Jon Harley, prosecuting, said the three victims had all been badly affected by the actions of the defendant when he targeted them all in July last year.

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The first woman had her bag snatched in a ‘flash’ when she put it on the floor while she tried to unlock the front door of her Darlington home – he escaped with the bag containing £10 in cash.

Mr Harley said the second offence took place outside Morrisons supermarket on North Road when Robinson reached into the victim’s bag, grabbed her person and ran away. Again, he stole £10 in cash.

His third victim, a 91-year-old pensioner, was targeted while she was heading home on her mobility scooter along Salters Lane South, the court heard.

Mr Harley said a passer-by spotted what was happening and chased Robinson away. As he fled, he dropped the woman’s handbag and it was returned to her by the witness.

The court heard how the defendant caused damage to a shed roof as he made his escape from the scene.

He was already on bail after being arrested in possession of knife in South Park at the beginning of July and on two further occasions he was found carrying a knife when he was arrested for the thefts.

Wayne Robinson (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Robinson, of Prescott Street, Darlington, pleaded guilty to three thefts, three charges of possession of a bladed article and a single charge of causing criminal damage.

The defendant had 27 previous convictions for 51 offences, including serving a five-year sentence for a spate of burglaries.

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Representing himself, he said: “I’m just going to let you sentence me and walk out this room and spend the rest of my life in jail.

“Nothing changes, it’s just a vicious cycle. I’m not going to put a defence forward; I’m just going to get sentenced and move on.”

Recorder Anthony Kelbrick jailed Robinson for a total of 34 months for his latest crime spree.

He said: “These were theft of property belonging to vulnerable, elderly women out on the street – clearly you had targeted them as your victims.

“Even though the thefts were of small amounts, the effect on them was enormous. They should be allowed to live out their old age without fear from people like you.”