Mugging victim chases robbers
FAILED robber Paul Dale has been jailed for 12 months after his victim turned the tables following a late-night attack.
The 21-year-old and another man approached their target in Avenue Road, Shelton, at 1.30am on February 11.
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Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that victim Mustafa Gurses was listening to music as he walked home from his job as a door security man.
Prosecutor Phillip Beardwell said yesterday: "He was unaware what they were saying and removed his headphones.
"He became aware they were demanding money from him.
"At first they demanded £1, then £2, then all his money. He refused.
"The defendant tried to pull his headphones away. Mr Gurses challenged him.
"The defendant verbally abused Mr Gurses and then punched him to the face as the other man went behind him."
The court heard Mr Gurses was left with a cut and bruising to his left cheekbone.
Mr Beardwell continued: "The victim tried to defend himself and the defendant and his associate ran off. Mr Gurses pursued the defendant.
"Police saw him chasing the defendant who approached the police and said he was being chased by a mad man but Mr Gurses gave his account and the defendant was arrested."
In his victim statement, Mr Gurses said he was glad he could handle himself but it could have been anyone who was attacked.
Dale, of Denbigh Street, Hanley, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at an earlier hearing.
The court was told that the offence came a fortnight after Dale was given a 28-day suspended prison sentence for a theft.
Peter McCartney, defending, said his client had a difficult childhood and has had no long-term employment or education since leaving school. "He has a chaotic lifestyle and a lack of direction," said Mr McCartney, who added that the 116 days Dale has spent on remand had made him realise he needs to change.
He said: "It was a serious offence, but short-lived.
"There is a comic element about it as the victim pulled himself together and the robbers ran off."
Judge John Maxwell sentenced Dale to 12 months for the attempted robbery and 28 days consecutively for the breach of the suspended sentence. He will serve up to half of the term, with the 116 days on remand counting towards it.
The judge told Dale: "The victim was a brave man and you failed to get the better of him.
"Not only did you cause him some injury, but you also gave him racial abuse."
8 Comments
by Warren, Meir
Tuesday, June 16 2009, 7:41AM
“Raymond, with you all the way on that one, call it We Kill Scumbags and Dirty Crims Party. Get my vote right away, get off the streets, tryed in a court of law and a bullit right though what little brain they have.”
by Anon, Utopia
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 1:44PM
“Perhaps a well implemented euthanasia program is the answer to get this scum off are streets, let face it the likes of this failed robber are never going to change there ways, all they will do is go on offending and causing misery to there victims not to mention costing the tax payer a fortune.lets get them off are street for good, lets face it we are constantly told we are living in an over populated country so why not get rid of the scum once and for all because prison doesn't seem to work.”
by Daniel, Stoke
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 12:42PM
“I was reading that, thinking please don't let them get another suspended sentence. Doesn't sound like Paul Dale is very good at his current job as thief, so should try an honest living like the rest of us. I just hope if I were in a similar situation, I would have the bravery to stand up like Mustafa.”
by Raymond, Staffs.
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 11:53AM
“The crooks are scum. Instead having a political party that's racist, why not have a party thats manifesto has a policy of exterminating this kind of scum. What use are these scum to our society....?”
by Ivan K., Hanley
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 9:43AM
“Credit to Mustafa Gurses. I wish there was more like him. Pity the scumbags who tried to rob him will serve "up to half the term". So, not even necessarily half the sentence, ie. probably about out in 4-5 months for good behaviour.”
by Warren, Meir
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 9:36AM
“Yes, get in there, picked on the right one there lads did'nt you. Big it up to Mr. Gurses, he sould have give both of the scumbags the kicking of there lives, I'd do the same.
Message to the local scumbags..... Next time you see a overwigth bald bloke wadeling around on a walking stick, think twice before you start your games, it might be me and I'll show you another way of how the use a walking stick, would'nt bother me none, I'v got a few.”
by Kerry, Meir
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 8:03AM
“Well done to Mr Gurses for fighting back. No-one should be subject to this type of attack from anyone.
I see the scumbag that did this has blamed difficult childhood and has had no long-term employment or education since leaving school.
What a poor excuse - yet again blaming everyone and something else for his own failures.
Maybe, the time he spends in prison he could better educate himself and learn a trade but there again why should he as he gets benefits given to him and will have no incentive to do so.
Take a leaf out of your victims book and get a job.”
by kevin, work
Wednesday, June 10 2009, 7:14AM
“lol you should have given them both a good slapin”