Youth jailed for Hallowe'en street robbery (From The Northern Echo)

Chester-le-Street youth jailed for Hallowe'en street robbery

6:00am Friday 16th November 2012 in News By Bruce Unwin, Chief Reporter (Durham)

THREE young people endured a nightmare journey home from a Hallowe’en night party, a court heard.

Two brothers and a female friend were waylaid after crossing paths with 21-year-old Callum Bell, who was high on a mix of drink and valium pills.

Durham Crown Court heard that Bell, who was with another youth, crossed a road to confront the trio as they walked home from the party in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, on October 28.

David Wilkinson, prosecuting, said Bell punched both brothers several times, knocking them to the ground, while also striking one of their heads off the path.

He turned to the female and jabbed her in the face. She fell on a lap-top she was carrying to prevent him taking it from her.

Bell then returned to the first brother and kept hitting him until he was able to prise his bike from his grasp.

He rode off on the bike, leaving the three victims on the ground, the two brothers injured.

They all picked out Bell in an identification procedure, and he was arrested.

He initially denied involvement, but added that he had been high on drink and drugs at the time.

In a further interview he told police the first brother had been “cheeky”, so he “smacked him”, while he tried to pass responsibility for the incident on the other youth who was with him at the time.

But, at a previous hearing, 21-year-old Bell, of Conyers Avenue, South Pelaw, Chetser-le-Street, admitted robbery, attempted robbery and two counts of common assault.

Tom Moran, mitigating, who handed over several character references, told the court: “People who know him are surprised at the serious nature of the offences.”

He added that Bell had not set out to commit the offence that evening.

Judge Christopher Prince jailed Bell for three years. Bell must also pay a £120 statutory surcharge.