A woman was pounced on and dragged from her car in a dimly-lit restaurant car park by a drug-hungry robber.
The victim had been to a restaurant in Low Fell, Gateshead, with her friend on October 1 this year and after leaving they went to a car park, which is off the main street. Emma Dowling, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court she got in the driver's seat and was talking to her friend, as she was about to get in the car.
Miss Dowling said: "The victim was suddenly grabbed from behind around the neck and she heard him saying 'give us your keys.' She was pulled out of the car on to a grass verge near the car park.
Read more: Woman who uses wheelchair and zimmer frame jailed for stabbing girlfriend in back
"She said she couldn't see very much. She screamed and could feel a man on her back. She described him as an older man and bald and the prosecution say that was the defendant Hutton.
"She said he appeared to fall off her and she ran towards the main street, which was brightly lit, to seek help and her friend had gone there too."
They encountered two couples there and the two men went to challenge Hutton and one of them restrained him until police arrived. His accomplice had taken her car and house keys and purse, containing items including bank cards and her driving licence.
She said in a victim impact statement the attack left her very upset and with "numbing anxiety". She added: "Since the initial shock I've seen a massive change in my mental wellbeing and my anxiety is at an all time high and I'm regularly having panic attacks."
The woman added that running her own business has become more challenging due to the effects of the robbery and she has also suffered hair loss and eczema.
Hutton, 51, of Ravensworth Road, Dunston, Gateshead, who has a previous conviction for robbery, pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing some Valium tablets he had on his arrest. He was jailed for four years.
The court heard he is remorseful and committed the offence to fund his Subutex addiction. His barrister said he suffers anxiety and is capable of rehabilitation.
Read next:
- Ponteland pensioner admits smothering her 81-year-old husband after a disagreement over finances
- Stakeford pervert jailed for attempted rape and sexual assault of two schoolgirls
- Kind woman sexually assaulted by North Shields man she allowed to stay at her home for the night
- £1m Roker explosion victim lost everything and cat died when neighbour cut gas pipe and flicked lighter
- Elswick thug attacked girlfriend with mop handle and smashed through her window armed with a knife
