Leeds handbag robbery victim was left 'scared, upset and worried'

Liam Wilson, 20, snatched the woman’s handbag and within minutes used one of her bank cards to buy food and wine worth £430, Leeds Crown Court heard.

Wilson’s victim felt “scared, upset and worried” after the robbery and had to change where she shops.

Teenager to go on trial accused or raping woman in Leeds city centreProsecutor, Louise Pryke said Wilson followed the woman as she carried a Morrisons shopping bag while walking alone on a service road between the shopping centre and the River Aire at Kirkstall on September 16.

Miss Pryke said: “The defendant was pulling her around and after a short struggle he managed to yank the bag out of her grip.”

Within minutes of the robbery, Wilson used one of two stolen bank cards five times to buy food and wine worth £430 from Morrisons and Kirkstall Food and Wine.

The following day, Wilson drove off from the Shell petrol station on Kirkstall Road without paying for fuel worth just over £20.

Miss Pryke said the robbery victim feels "scared, worried and fearful" about going to the area where she was targeted and said she now shops at another Morrisons store.

Wilson, of no fixed abode , admitted robbery, fraud, making off without payment and driving without a licence and with no insurance.

He has seven previous convictions for eight offences including criminal damage, assault and burglary.

Mitigating, Kate Rekstina, said Wilson committed the robbery after being threatened over a drug debt.

10 items which can't be recycled in Leeds green bins - and what to do with themMiss Rekstina said Wilson no longer uses drugs and has shown “genuine remorse.”

Miss Rekstina said: "He wants to become a hairdresser and he is very proud of the fact that he has essentially taught himself how to cut hair and how to style. That's what he wants to do."

Recorder Maria Karaiskos said: She (the victim) said she is scared and upset and worried as a result of the attack on her.

“She has had to change where she shops and she struggles to sleep at night.”

Hen party website ranks two Leeds cocktail bars as best in UKSentencing Wilson to an 11 month jail sentence suspended for 12 months, Recorder Karaiskos told him:"You are still immature and properly thinking about the consequences of your actions."

Wilson must also do 150 hours unpaid work.