The duo pushed the 72-year-old victim from behind as she returned to her car with her food shopping
Tyler Leech appeared at Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
Two teenage robbers left an elderly woman “crying her eyes out” after suddenly targeting her outside a supermarket, pushing her from behind and driving off in her car. The police quickly pursued the stolen car and eventually managed to block it in.
The two teenagers ran off in a desperate bid to escape but were soon detained nearby, Hull Crown Court heard. Tyler Leech, 18, of Chelmsford Close, off Greatfield estate, Hull, admitted robbery on February 27 last year.
Maleka Akuany, prosecuting, said that a 72-year-old woman had been food shopping at Asda in Kingswood, Hull, and was at her car when she felt a push to her back. Leech, who was 17 at the time, was wearing a face mask and he was with another teenager, who was 16 at the time.
They stole the Ford Fiesta and drove off in it. The police pursued the car down Livingstone Road, Hessle. It was blocked in at Ferry Road.
The teenagers ran off from the car but they were detained. The woman later said: “I was crying my eyes out after the incident and I was so shocked.”
Leech had no previous convictions. The other teenager, now aged 17, had been dealt with at the youth court and had been given a referral order.
Ben Hammersley, mitigating, said that Leech was arrested and interviewed the same day. He acted out of character, showed immaturity and there had been no further trouble with the police since.
“He associated with someone he should not have done,” said Mr Hammersley. “He had a desire to fit in. He had been taking drugs, something he has now, thankfully, turned away from.
“He has genuine remorse for his actions.” Leech had, in a pre-sentence report, shown quite commendable victim awareness.
“He would wish to apologise to the victim for the hurt caused and would wish to pay compensation,” said Mr Hammersley. “The weight of what he did is not lost on him.” Leech was working and he had a young son.
Recorder Nathan Moxon said that Leech had told the probation service that he had taken cannabis on the day of the offence. He had intended to steal a bike, not a car, but the offence was “to a certain extent premeditated”.
Leech had covered his face during the robbery. The woman was left in tears and shock. She used the car to take family members to medical appointments.
Leech was ordered to do 150 hours’ unpaid work. He must pay a £26 victims’ surcharge.
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