Clumsy street robber who stole a phone and left his own phone at the scene jailed for over three years

A 30 year old street robber, Mark Mick of Highbury New Park, Islington, who stole a phone, but left his own phone at the scene has been jailed. Mick was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, June 27.

The court heard how at 11:50pm on 21 December 2015, the victim, a 30 year-old woman, was walking along Clissold Crescent N16 while using her mobile phone when she was approached from behind by Mick riding a pedal cycle.

Mick grabbed her phone by snatching it out of her hands and put the phone into the hooded top that he was wearing. However, she grabbed hold of the robber in an attempt to get her mobile phone back.

Mick then punched the victim on the side of the head. The punch knocked her backwards, but during the struggle the suspect dropped his own personal mobile phone. He made off leaving his own phone behind. The victim was not seriously injured, but was left in pain from the blow she had received.

Officers attended the scene and they began immediate enquiries on the mobile phone dropped by the suspect. As a result of their work, enquires began to find Mick. On 3 March 2016, he was arrested in Colindale.

An identity parade was conducted and the victim picked out Mark Mick as being the person who had robbed her. Mick was subsequently charged with the robbery and pleaded guilty. xxxDetective Constable Scott Johnson of Hackney CID, said:

"Mick robbed a lone woman and used violence to carry out the theft. Thankfully he left his own phone at the scene and we were able to indentify him as a suspect and arrest him. With the assistance of the victim we were able gather all the necessary evidence to charge him and I would like to thank her for her support and courage in bringing this man to justice.

Source: Metropolitan Police