The victim couldn’t remember much about the robbery due to his injuries
A brutal robber repeatedly punched and kicked a man during a violent attack in the street, leaving the victim slumped on the ground and not moving. Aggressive and threatening Nathan High had a long history of violence and he ended up in prison again after he was recognised from telltale CCTV pictures, Hull Crown Court heard.
High, 33, of Albert Avenue, off Anlaby Road, west Hull, but recently in custody on remand, admitted an offence of robbery on July 29. He denied an offence of wounding with intent and the charge was dropped by the prosecution.
Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that the man left the hostel where he had been living at the time and he went to seek medical assistance at Hull Royal Infirmary. He did not remember much about the robbery because of the injuries that he suffered.
A CCTV video clip showed High and the man walking along in the Great Thornton Street area. The man stopped and they faced each other and seemed to exchange punches. It could be that the man might have struck the first blow.
High, in a black T-shirt, repeatedly punched the victim, causing him to fall to the ground. High kicked him repeatedly and then repeatedly punched him, even after the victim stopped moving.
During the violent attack, High twice broke off to take items from the man on the ground. High walked off, leaving the victim not moving on the ground. The man lost a tooth in the attack and he suffered a cut to his lip and a laceration to his nose.
High stole his mobile phone and £40 cash. The victim was on the ground for at least two minutes not moving. High was later recognised from the CCTV pictures and he was arrested. During police interview, he made no comment to questions.
There was no statement from the victim because he did not come back to the prosecution, said Mr Welch. High had convictions for 27 previous offences, including being given a one-year suspended prison sentence in September 2014 for a wounding/grievous bodily harm offence. He was jailed for two months in February 2017 for possessing a blade.
In July 2022, he was jailed for 17 weeks for assault and, in February 2024, he was fined for assaulting an emergency worker. His most recent sentence was an eight-week suspended sentence on July 28, 2025 for shop theft. He had convictions for dishonesty, including non-domestic burglary.
Amber Hobson, mitigating, said that High pleaded guilty at an early stage. He had been in custody on remand since an appearance before Hull magistrates on August 2.
High was jailed for four years.