Man ran after thief who stole cash from 84-year-old at ATM in Barton
A man has been praised after chasing down a thief who stole money from an 84-year-old using a cash point.
Stephen van Morton chased Phillip Smith after he took the money at a cash machine being used by Frank Danson in Barton on September 10.
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Jailed: Phillip Smith
In a quick-thinking act, Mr van Morton took a picture of Smith on his mobile phone after chasing him down.
Recorder Tahir Khan QC said: "I want to say publicly that the way Mr van Morton acted was very public spirited and deserves the thanks of the court for his actions, which led to this arrest."
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Smith, 25, of Market Lane, Barton, was on a six-year licence period when he carried out the cash machine attack. He was jailed in 2010 after stabbing a man in the neck with a broken bottle.
Smith, who admitted theft, common assault and possessing an offensive weapon, was given 25 months custody for last month's attack, but has been recalled to prison until December 2018.
James Byatt, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Frank Danson went to Lloyds TSB in Market Place to withdraw £100.
Mr Byatt said: "As the cash was being dispensed, a hand reached around him, took hold of the money and took it from the wall."
Mr Danson took hold of the arm, but fell to the floor.
Mr van Morton witnessed the incident and set off running after Smith. He caught him and asked for the cash.
As he did, Mr van Morton saw a knife fall from Smith's pocket.
Mr van Morton asked Smith for the money back, and heard in reply: "If I give you the money back, will you let me go?"
Smith then went to hand £20 over and as he did so, Mr van Morton took a photo of the defendant.
Mr Byatt told the court that Mr van Morton told police he acted on adrenaline, but on reflection the situation could have been a lot worse because of the knife.
Smith told the police he had been waiting in the Market Place for around 10 minutes. He said he was disgusted with himself for attacking an elderly man and had he known his age he would have carried out the attack on someone else.
Smith said he carried the knife for self-defence.
Richard Hackfath, mitigating, said: "My only real mitigation is he made full admissions to the police and I would ask for him to be given maximum credit for doing so."
Comments
by gordonio
Thursday, October 11 2012, 3:25PM
“Sorry, I meant asinal, ATD etc, (attention to detail).”
by gordonio
Thursday, October 11 2012, 3:23PM
“arsenal, I agree with your comment, I hope Mr van Morton is around if this happened to me, what a brave individual, I think he deserves a reward out of the public purse for his selfless actions.
I certainly wouldn't mind my tax dollars going to this upstanding, public spirited man.”
by asinal
Thursday, October 11 2012, 2:25PM
“Might I suggest that Smith targeted Mr Danson precisely because he was an old man who Smith decided would be unable to defend himself.
Well done to Mr van Morton.
SMITH YOU ARE A COWARD.”
by Sparks2400
Thursday, October 11 2012, 1:56PM
“Duffy_McDuffy,
I agree entirely, but have to admit I laughed at that part when I read the story in the paper today.
It would seem his only concept of wrongdoing was age selection.
I hope his brief advised him to ask for a date of birth, BMI and blood pressure level of his next victim so that he doesn't incur any further distress than is absolutely necessary when commiting his crimes. That would surely be a fantastic mitgating factor when he's up before the beak next time, a lot better than the pathetic full admissions ploy when caught bang to rights.”
by Duffy_McDuffy
Thursday, October 11 2012, 1:35PM
“Surely the most telling comment is that he said "he was disgusted with himself for attacking an elderly man and had he known his age he would have carried out the attack on someone else." Not that he wouldn't have done it. He would have just chosen someone else. Is this really what civilisation has come to??”
by BrianPotter_1
Thursday, October 11 2012, 1:25PM
“Stephen van Morton well done for your brave actions. I've had to read this twice as i didn't quite believe it first time....so this oxygen thief stabbed someone in the neck with a broken bottle and was jailed 2 years ago, that could quite easily of killed his victim, so what the **** was he charged with? How the hell is he walking the streets and robbing oap's less than 2 years on? He wants putting down like a sick dog!”
by HarryWorth
Thursday, October 11 2012, 12:33PM
“Mr van Morton you're a star - well done!”
by crickfan
Thursday, October 11 2012, 12:08PM
“Sorry, should read 2010!!”
by crickfan
Thursday, October 11 2012, 12:08PM
“Yuo have to wonder how this guy was out on license so soon after stabbing someone in the neck in 2012......”
by dellboy1959
Thursday, October 11 2012, 11:23AM
“Good on Ya Mr Van Morton,Not just for chasing him down but for keeping your cool as well.I would of kicked seven shades out of him as well which could of affected the outcome.
localad,I couldn't agree more about the justice system.”