Teenage burglar beat up Shipley man with table leg (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Teenage burglar beat up Shipley man with table leg

10:40am Thursday 23rd February 2012 in News By Jenny Loweth

A 16-year-old boy has been branded a danger and locked up indefinitely for viciously robbing a vulnerable man in his own home.

The teenager, who cannot be named, struck Jacob Nicholls in the face with a fire extinguisher and beat him with a table leg before making off with property.

Mr Nicholls, 20, was so traumatised by the attack he never returned to his flat in Central Avenue, Shipley, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

The 16-year-old pleaded guilty to robbing Mr Nicholls at midday on August 13 last year.

Prosecutor Emma Downing said he pushed his way into the flat where Mr Nicholls was at home alone, demanding: “What have you got?”

He rifled through possessions and kicked them across the floor before hitting him.

He rained blows on his head with the table leg until Mr Nicholls knocked himself out by banging his head. When he came round, he was punched in the face. The boy warned him: “If I hear the police are involved, I’ll come back and batter you twice as hard.”

He fled with £455 of Mr Nicholls’ property, including a computer, games and phone.

Mr Nicholls was treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary for a gash to the top of his head and bruising and swelling to his body.

Miss Downing said he was now scared and fearful of going out and was so terrified he never went back to his home.

The 16-year-old’s extensive criminal record began with a robbery when he was aged ten and totalled 16 convictions for 22 offences, including causing actual bodily harm, having a bladed article and attempted robbery.

His barrister, Simon Batiste, said the teenager had a difficult upbringing involving domestic violence. He was sorry for the robbery and had expressed regret and remorse.

Judge Peter Benson said the offence involved “a prolonged and vicious period of violence” with extreme bullying while the boy was on bail for assault.

A probation officer and a psychiatrist assessed him as posing a serious risk to members of the public. Judge Benson sentenced him to detention for public protection based on a sentence of five years and four months.

He must spend at least 32 months behind bars and he will be on prison licence for life.