He targeted the unsuspecting victim shortly after a bungled shoplifting attempt and was then chased by store staff, a court heard
An unsuspecting woman was left terrified after a callous robber who was desperate for some easy money suddenly tried to grab her shopping bag during a violent struggle as she waited for a taxi outside a supermarket. Aggressive and determined Thomas Wharton stole the woman’s purse after targeting her shortly after a bungled shoplifting mission inside the store.
She lost her balance during the confrontation and fell into a shopping trolley, Hull Crown Court heard. Wharton, 26, of no fixed address, but recently in custody on remand, admitted robbery, theft and causing criminal damage on April 19.
Connor Stuart, prosecuting, said that Wharton entered the Asda superstore in Mount Pleasant, east Hull, at about 8am and stole three bottles of vodka, valued at £65, before trying to leave without paying. Security staff followed him outside, took back the bottles of vodka and contacted the police.
While he was outside, Wharton spotted a woman in her late 60s telephoning for a taxi and waiting with her shopping for it to arrive. He waited for a few minutes before approaching her.
He tried to take her shopping bag and told her that he “needed it”. The woman told him that he could not have it – but he took her purse from her handbag. “There was a short struggle and he pushed her a number of times, which made her lose her balance and fall into a nearby trolley,” said Mr Stuart.
Wharton ran away but he was chased by staff from Asda. During the chase, he threw the purse behind him. It was picked up and returned to the woman. He ran towards the main entrance on Mount Pleasant.
A man was driving his work van at about 10mph when Wharton jumped on its bonnet, causing two dints in it. “Police attended the area and arrested the defendant at a nearby bus stop,” said Mr Stuart. Wharton was taken to Clough Road police station.
The woman later said: “I will never be able to forget the man’s face. I really hope nothing like this ever happens to me again because it was terrifying enough.” She did her weekly shop at Asda but now felt that she needed to pack her bags inside.
Wharton refused to leave his cell for interview and he made no reply to all questions. He had convictions for 40 previous offences, including 24 for theft and, most recently, criminal damage in March last year. In September last year, he was jailed for 28 weeks for 10 theft offences and breaching a community order.
Amber Hobson, mitigating, said that Wharton used minimal force during the robbery. There was some pushing but no injuries were caused to the woman. The purse had already been taken.
At the time, Wharton was motivated by his circumstances in being homeless. “He needed some money to eat,” said Miss Hobson. “He was not able to receive benefit due to being on the street.
“He planned to sell the vodka that had been taken from the supermarket. He is incredibly sorry. He wants to change his ways. He wants to get a job when he is released so he doesn’t resort to this activity again.”
Judge John Thackray KC told Wharton: “This was a lady in her late 60s going about her business doing her shopping. You made a grab for her shopping bag and it didn’t end there. She was well within her rights and tried to stop you from taking it.
“You started pushing her into a trolley to move her out of the way. It was plainly more than minimal force. This has had a profound effect upon your victim.
“She describes how she hasn’t stopped shaking. She is worried that it might happen again. As she says, it was terrifying.”
Wharton was jailed for three years and four months.