During the attack, the injured party’s iPhone 12 fell from his pocket which was stolen then immediately dropped down a drain
A 34-year old man who participated in a violent street robbery has been jailed for 16 months.
When he is released from prison Glen Stewart, from Templemore Avenue in Belfast, will spend an additional 22 months on supervised licence.
Co-accused Jamie Smith, 31, from Glenveagh Drive in Belfast, was handed a four-year sentence earlier this year for his role in the joint enterprise.
Belfast Crown Court heard that around 3am on October 9 last year, the injured party walked passed a group of men including Stewart and Smith who were sheltering in an alcove near Dunnes Stores on High Street.
One of the group asked the passer-by if he had a cigarette. He told them he didn’t smoke and walked on but a comment was then made which caused him to stop and turn around.
Stewart and Smith then got up, confronted the injured party and assaulted him.
During the attack, the injured party’s iPhone 12 fell from his pocket which Smith stole then immediately dropped down a drain. Smith and Stewart then walked back to the alcove and the injured party got to his feet and walked in the opposite direction.
He sustained a number of injuries including three chipped teeth, facial bruising and redness to his ear. Following his arrest, Stewart said he was homeless and didn’t know his co-accused prior to meeting him on the streets.
When shown CCTV of the incident, Stewart accepted it was him in the footage. A defence barrister told Judge Gordon Kerr KC it was accepted at the sentencing of Smith earlier this year that his client Stewart played a lesser role in the incident.
Judge Kerr noted Stewart’s 20 prior convictions, his educational struggles and the affect the breakdown of the relationship had upon him. This, the Judge said, resulted in Stewart finding himself on the streets and abusing alcohol and drugs.
Regarding the offending, Stewart claims to have a limited recollection but has expressed remorse said he would apologise to the victim if afforded the opportunity to do so.
Accepting the offending lacked pre-meditation or planning and that Stewart played a lesser role, Judge Kerr imposed the 38-month sentence.
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