A thief who stole a woman's mobility scooter and left her living in fear has walked free from court. It was on March 22 last year that a woman parked her "essential" scooter outside her home in Haig Crescent, Scotswood, Newcastle.
Robert Hurst helped himself to it and began pushing it along the street. The woman's partner saw what was happening and chased after and confronted him.
Threat during confrontation
Newcastle Crown Court heard they argued, during which Hurst threatened the man and waved his arms at him, causing him to feel intimidated. He retreated back to his home and called the police. Officers attended soon afterwards and found Hurst nearby with the scooter, which was returned to the victim.
In a victim statement, the woman said the scooter is essential for her mobility and the only way she can get around. She was left "extremely fearful" because of the incident and was left struggling to sleep, with her and her family living in fear.
Sentence and previous convictions
Hurst, 47, of Eastgarth, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, who has 69 previous convictions, was originally charged with robbery but prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to theft. He was sentenced to 18 weeks suspended for 18 months with 150 hours unpaid work and £200 costs.
Shaun Routledge, defending, said: "He clearly had too much to drink. We can see footage of him and someone else pushing the scooter up the street."Police were called and by the time they got there he is still on the street, pushing it. He was a few yards from the garden where he took it from."It was in the defendant's hands for about 10 or 15 minutes before it was returned by the police."
