Stone victim speaks of horrifying screwdriver attack

A TRAUMATISED pensioner who was attacked with a screwdriver for just £10 has told of his relief after the robber was jailed.

Graham Moss, aged 68, from Stone blacked out when he was attacked from behind and knocked to the ground by 22-year-old Mckenzie Chadwick.

As he came round, Mr Moss saw the mugger had a screwdriver in his hand before Chadwick demanded 'give us your money'.

The weapon was pushed into the pensioner's neck and he was forced to hand over a £10 note.

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Now Mr Moss has welcomed a lengthy jail sentence handed to Chadwick, of Manor Rise, Stone, who was locked up for 56 months after admitting charges of robbery and attempted robbery.

Mr Moss, also of Manor Rise, Stone said: "I have been put on medication for depression since the attack and it has had quite an impact on my life.

"Nothing like that had ever happened to me before and it is not like I am a young man and can just shrug my shoulders.

"When you are getting on for nearly 70 it gives you a shock because you start thinking what if?

"You just don't know what these kind of people are going to do when they get desperate and it is frightening."

Mr Moss was robbed on October 18 as he walked to the Star pub in Stafford Road, Stone.

He was left shaken and dazed, with a cut on the side of his face and neck.

The retired roofer said: "I have never been down that alleyway since it happened and I have no intention of going there again, even in the daytime.

"I still have a lot of apprehension when I am out and am constantly looking over my shoulder to see if I'm being followed."

A judge at Stafford crown court heard how a week earlier, Chadwick had tried to rob another elderly man in Stone – Tom Brooks – by threatening him with a knife.

Nick Burn, prosecuting, said Mr Brooks was out walking his dog in Filleybrooks and was sitting on a bench when Chadwick, accompanied by another male, approached him and demanded money.

Mr Brooks, 62, fled from the knifeman before he could be robbed.

Mr Walter Bealby, defending Chadwick, said the father-of-three knew that he must be sent to prison.

Jailing the robber on Friday, Judge David Fletcher told him: "Mr Moss was 68 – a screwdriver was held to his neck.

"You knocked Mr Moss to the floor. He was terrified when he came to, and realised someone was holding a weapon to his throat."

Mr Moss welcomed the sentence, although declined to visit the court to watch his attacker case.

He said: "It is quite a long sentence and as long as he doesn't get out early for good behaviour I would be pleased.

"In a way I am quite glad that he pleaded guilty and admitted to the crime, as long as he doesn't decide to come into Stone again when he gets out." Mr Moss said he now just wants to put the incident behind him.

He added: "I will get there, and I have a lot of good friends in Stone who have been looking out for me.

"I did ask for compensation not just for the injuries to my neck and face but more for the psychological effects."