A man has been jailed after chasing his victim through Newtown town centre and kicking him on the floor before robbing £15 cash which he used to pay for a crate of beer.
Tristan Dean, from Llanfair Caereinion, was jailed for 16 months by Judge Niclas Parry at Mold Crown Court on Monday (September 25) after admitting the robbery and breaching his suspended prison sentence at an earlier hearing.
The court heard that Paul Kilbride woke up to the sound of banging on his door by angry Dean and another man who had falsely accused him of making sexual advances towards a female friend on October 20 last year.
The 25-year-old demanded that Mr Kilbride, who had sold his television hours earlier while socialising with friends including Dean at his home, hand over the £15 cash to pay for a taxi.
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Fearing that Dean would do something, Mr Kilbride told him he would get his coat, wallet and phone before heading to the bank. But as they moved outside, Dean became angrier, causing a scene and shouting expletives, the court heard.
The prosecuting barrister said: "The victim tried to run away in Broad Street, but the defendant chased him. The defendant was seen throwing an item at the victim's head which was a can. The victim then slipped and fell over.
"The defendant, who was now standing over the victim, kicked him saying 'you better give me the money now'."
Fearing that he would be hurt again, Mr Kilbride handed over the £15 he had left from selling the television.
The court heard that Dean, who was arrested at the scene, was seen entering Spar and leaving with a crate of beer which is thought to have been paid with the stolen £15.
Dean, who has 12 convictions for 35 offences, told police that the money belonged to him, and he wanted it back but denied he had used force.
Defence barrister Gemma Gordon asked the judge to allow "some light at the end of the tunnel" before the 25-year-old was sentenced.
"He recognises he’s been given opportunities by the court, but he hasn’t sustained progress," she said.
"He is someone who does engage when he can and has a positive outlook who is able to work, but he is too easily drawn back to using alcohol and illegal substances. In his phrase he needs to 'sort himself out' which he hopes to do in custody.
"He is still young. He’s not a lost cause."
Judge Parry told Dean who was standing in the dock: "You had a tough background and a tough upbringing, and I recognise that. You’ve not had the advantages many have had. But you’ve been supported by the courts.
"It’s a long time since I’ve had someone who has had so many opportunities from the court. Again and again, you have been given a chance.
"You were on a suspended sentence order [for driving offences in May 2022] when you kicked him on the floor. Thankfully they were not serious injuries."
Judge Parry added: "You’ve not been in custody before and because it will be your first experience you will serve 12 months for robbery, and I’ll activate four out of the 10 months of your suspended sentence. Sixteen months is a proper reflection of what’s happened here. You’ll have to do half then you’ll be released and supervised."
Before being taken down to the cells, Dean, of Awelfa, Llanfair Caereinion, thanked the judge before shouting "see you, mum. See you, Nan," to family members in the public gallery inside the courtroom.
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