A robber dragged a teenage girl through woodland as he stole her handbag before falling asleep in the dock once he was brought to court over the terrifying assault.
Drug-addled Harry Ford's brave victim followed him and began filming him on her mobile phone despite fearing that she had broken a bone during his terrifying attack. She continues to have nightmares about "seeing his eyes" nearly two years on.
Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday, Tuesday, that the 16-year-old was in a wooded area in Widnes known as Bowers Brook with a friend on August 25 2021 when she noticed the defendant watching her. The youngster became "increasingly uncomfortable" with Ford, of Russell Court, then snatching her bag from her - scratching her arm in the process - and running away.
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However Helen Chenery, prosecuting, described how she followed her attacker and started videoing him as she saw the 22-year-old rifling through her handbag before discarding it. This was despite the teen fearing that she had broken her arm during the incident.
A statement read out to the court on her behalf said: "I don’t feel safe, I feel angry and sad. I feel on edge when I do go out, even when I’m close to home.
"I’m more aware of my surroundings. I don’t go anywhere near the area where the crime happened anymore.
"My wrist was very sore and covered in bruises after the incident. I was dragged along the floor and I was covered in scratches.
"I feel nervous even when I go out with family and friends. I just want to feel normal and safe.
"I’ve had nightmares about the day - I still see his eyes. Although I stood up to him, it has knocked my confidence because I know it could have been a lot worse."
The court was told that Ford was addicted to cocaine and cannabis at the time, with Judge Louise Brandon overserving that "the last time we met he was asleep in my dock". Callum Ross, defending, said that his client wished to apologise to the complainant and added: "He knows his behaviour and actions were entirely unacceptable."
The dad - who has two previous convictions - admitted robbery was was jailed for 15 months. Sentencing, Judge Brandon said: "It was impossible to progress your case the last two times at court because of the state you have got yourself into.
"I accept that you are remorseful. While you are relatively young and immature, you also have a child yourself.
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