Thug threatened to stab victim during Stockton attempted robbery

Liam Collinson demanded the man hand over his cash before repeatedly punching him and hitting him around the head with his own walking aid.

The 26-year-old’s protracted violent attack was recorded by Cleveland Police as the victim’s friend begged for help during an 11-minute call, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said Collinson was arrested when police arrived on the scene at on Stockton’s Riverside around 3am on June 11.

She said: “The call captured the defendant saying – ‘give me your money now, where’s your money’ before threatening him by saying - ‘please don’t make me hurt you anymore. Do you want me to stab you?’.”

The court heard how the victim spent three days in hospital after suffering a bleed on the brain and significant injuries to his right ear.

Collinson, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Chris Baker, representing the defendant, said his client had been homeless for several years and had been struggling with drug and alcohol issues.

“It is clear this is a case where there is remorse,” he said. “The first thing he asked me about was the victim and whether he was still in hospital – he was pleased when he heard he wasn’t.”

Recorder Marco Giuliani sentence Collinson to a total of three years for both offences.

He said: “For reasons to do with your lifestyle – homelessness, like many people in that situation, you seek solace in alcohol and illegal drugs.

“That clearly adversely affected the way you were thinking.”

He added: “This was a relatively prolonged incident because his friend called 999 and he was on the phone for 11 minutes.

“It’s clear from the recording that all three of you were intoxicated by either alcohol or drugs.”