Vulnerable man robbed on station platform

5:45pm Friday 22nd February 2008

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A VULNERABLE Metro passenger was targeted by three robbers as he waited on the platform for his train.

Gary Campbell, who suffered brain damage in an assault in 1994, was heading home after a night out when he was knocked to the ground and robbed of his cash.

The incident, which happened at South Shields station on August 21 last year, was captured on CCTV.

Police were immediately at the scene and Malcolm Simmons, 23, Liam Wynne, 20, and Kieron Casey, 22, were arrested nearby.

They each admitted robbery and were at Newcastle Crown Court today to be sentenced.

Prosecutor Tim Parkin told the court: "Mr Campbell is 33 and sadly is brain damaged as a result of a previous assault in 1994.

"The attack on him was captured by the CCTV at the station and that caused the operator of the CCTV to notify the police.

"He had violence used upon him, in particular to his head.

"He believes he was knocked out and indeed was found on the station platform by police officers.

"He had an injury to his head."

The court heard the robbery happened within half an hour after the gang stole a mobile phone from a student on another Metro train.

Defence barristers said the trio expressed remorse for what happened and had not deliberately targeted Mr Campbell because of his vulnerability.

Mr Recorder Graham Hyland sentenced all three to two years and nine months behind bars.

The judge told them: "He was a man alone at a Metro station, in a public place.

"He was, unbeknown to you, particularly vulnerable as a result of an injury he had suffered some years before.

"I accept none of you had any idea to his actual vulnerability, however, both offences are so serious only custodial sentences can be justified."

Simmons, of Hedgley Road, Hebburn, Wynne, of Housted Place, South Sheilds, and Casey, of William Street, Hebburn, had admitted robbing cash and cannabis from Mr Cambell.

They also pleaded guilty to theft of the mobile phone.