Smethwick robber who targeted disabled man in wheelchair is jailed
A prolific thief who robbed a disabled man in a wheelchair while high on drugs has been locked up for more than six years.
Tahir Mahmood targeted Gareth Elson after seeing him in a take away shortly before the attack, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
The 31-year-old tailed the victim into nearby Windmill Lane, Smethwick where he struck from behind, pushing Mr Elson into an alleyway where he searched the helpless man's pockets.
Mahmood stole a mobile phone and wallet, containing £80 cash, before fleeing on January 17 last year. Passers by came to the aid of Mr Elson after hearing his cries for help and alerted police.
The victim later gave details of the attack to a friend who worked as a security guard in the area and recognised the description of the robber as similar to that of a local thief whose photograph was kept on his mobile phone, said Miss Lynette McClement, prosecuting.
Mr Elson was shown the picture and confirmed it was the same man. Police were given the name of the suspect by the security guard.
Mahmood was traced and freed pending further inquiries but broke the terms of his bail and went on the run for several months before being rearrested.
It transpired he had robbed the disabled man while on bail for an unrelated offence for which he had appeared in court two days earlier.
He was also banned from going into Windmill Lane by a Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Order(CRASBO) imposed as a result of his persistent offending in the area, disclosed Miss McClement.
Mr Elson said in a statement to police: "I believe he targeted me because I was in a wheelchair. I was an easy target because I couldn't stand up and fight back.
"I did not dare leave my home for a week after this happened. My phone had family pictures of sentimental value that can never be replaced and the loss of the money left me in difficulties because it was my disability benefit."
Mr Jasvir Mann, defending, conceded: "He was under the influence of drugs at the time, saw an opportunity and took advantage of it. He had been homeless and was short of money. His life has been immersed in petty crime for many years during which he has been a rampant shoplifter."
Mahmood from Dudley Road, Winson Green, pleaded guilty to robbery and breaching the terms of his CRASBO. He was jailed for six years four months by Judge Simon Ward who told him: "You took this man away and restrained him while under the influence of drugs."
