Shropshire Star

Telford footpath robber, 19, jailed for three years

A teenage Telford robber who pounced on his victim after lying in wait alongside a town footpath was today put behind bars for three years.

Published

Shane Nethercott and accomplice Scott Lamb punched and kicked Mr Clive Jones as he lay curled up on the ground during the attack. Judge Peter Barrie said Mr Jones,aged 58, had been robbed of everything valuable he had with him, including his computer and camera.

Nethercott, 19, was today given a three year sentence in a young offenders institute when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Nethercott, formerly of Telford, now of Braunston, Leicestershire, had admitted robbery at a previous hearing.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said the incident happened on January 18 as Mr Jones was walking home after work. On a footpath close to the Eastern Primary road Nethercott and another man, Scott Lamb, app-roached him and asked him the time.

Lamb, who was jailed for three years earlier in the year, knocked Mr Jones to the ground and he and Nethercott kicked and punched him while he lay curled up, Mr Jones said.

"They took his rucksack containing a laptop, camera and mobile phone."

The victim suffered bruises and cuts and a swollen nose. In a statement before the court, he said: "The physical wounds have healed but the memories of lying on the ground feeling helpless remain."

The court was told police tracked down the robbers when they tried to get rid of Mr Jones' camera through a 'Cash Converter' store.

Mr Michael Sherwood Smith, for Nethercott, urged the judge to fix a lesser sentence that that given to Lamb because "he played a subordinate role ."

However the judge said he could see no reason why the defendant should have a lesser sentence.

By Sue Austin

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