Newcastle muggers targeted people on festive night out
The first victim encountered the pair as he was walking home in the city centre at about 03:00 GMT, Ms Butt said.Baird asked the man if he wanted to buy some protein powder from a carrier bag, when he refused one of the robbers shouted "get him", the court heard.The victim fell as he tried to flee, with the pair pinning him to the ground and going through his pockets, taking his mobile phone and wallet, Ms Butt said.The man chased after them and begged for his phone back, which the robbers agreed to if he gave them £130, the court heard.They then walked him to a cash machine to get the money, before handing back his phone, Ms Butt said, although his wallet was never recovered.
Stab threat
About half an hour later, the two robbers, both of no fixed abode, confronted a man using a cash machine on Neville Street, the court heard.They demanded he give them money and his coat, threatening he would be stabbed if he refused, with Baird rummaging in the carrier bag for a knife, Ms Butt said.The victim slipped over as he pushed Defty, with one of the men then punching him in the face as he lay on the ground, the court heard.The man was then able to run away and escape in a taxi, Ms Butt said.Both robbers, who each had dozens of previous convictions, were identified by police and then picked out of an identity parade by the victims, the court heard.
'Fear visiting Newcastle'
In a statement read to the court, the first victim said the pair had clearly gone out with the intention of preying on people.The second victim said he was left with a black eye and blurred vision which affected his job as a pilot, adding the attack was shocking and he now feared going to Newcastle.Baird also admitted stealing a wallet he found on 21 October 2023.In mitigation, the court heard both men had drug addiction and metal health issues.
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