"I want your bag, I want your coat or I'll stab you in the stomach."
These were the chilling words used by a Southmead man as he robbed a 15-year-old in the city centre of his coat, bag and cash. Police quickly identified Gabriel Maroty as the perpetrator.
Maroty, 20, of KIngswood Crescent, pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a Rambo-style knife - in breach of a recently suspended sentence for having a knife. He appeared at Bristol Crown Court for sentence today. (May 13, 2022)
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The recorder Mr James Bromige handed him two years and 10 months' custody. He told Maroty: "People who carry a knife in public either risk serious harm to themselves or inflicting serious harm or death upon others." The blade was made the subject of a deprivation order.
Emma Martin, prosecuting, said in February Maroty and others unidentified approached two youths chatting to girls on the Harbourside, near the fountains at 9.30pm. When one of the youths was punched he ran, and Maroty punched the other to his face and body - showing that he had a blade tucked into his waistband.
Mrs Martin told the court: "The defendant told him 'I want your bag and I want your coat or I'll stab you in the stomach'." With that Maroty said they should go around the corner out of the way, the court heard.
Instead the youth took off his expensive Moncler jacket and Gucci Messenger bag containing cash, bank cards and rail tickets. Maroty put on the jacket and walked off with the bag.
Police promptly identified Maroty from CCTV and visited him at his home four days later. They recovered the stolen bag and jacket as well as a large knife in a bedroom at the house.
The complainant made an impact statement in which he stated Harbourside had become a "no-go" area for him and he was much more wary than before. He said he was left with scars on his face.
Alistair Haggerty, defending, said his client had experienced hardships such as the loss of an eye and family bereavement.
But he told the court Maroty had done well as a trainee dog groomer and it had been thought he could excel in animal welfare. Mr Haggerty said traumatic issues led Maroty to use cocaine as a coping mechanism, which made him feel powerful.
The court heard Maroty had taken stock of what he had done while in custody and recognised how awful his behaviour was. Mr Haggerty said: "There is genuine remorse. He is not an angry young man today, I've noticed a marked change in him."
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