A Hull teenager with learning difficulties was violently robbed by a self-confessed "spicehead."

The victim had just left a phone shop in King Edward Street, Hull city centre, when he was dragged out of the doorway and pushed up against the window as Andrew Parker, 28, of Hodder Avenue in Fleetwood, Lancashire, robbed him of his wallet.

Parker appeared at Hull Crown Court on Friday, January 24, via a video link, for sentencing after admitting robbery.

CCTV footage from the attack on October 4 last year showed Parker grab the man and push him up against the shop window before taking out £50 and sharing it with an accomplice.

He then placed the wallet on a nearby bin and ran away from the scene. He was surrounded by a large group of men while the robbery took place.

The victim, who has learning difficulties, told the court in a victim impact statement that since that day he has been unable to go anywhere by himself and struggles to sleep.

Prosecuting, Stephen Welch said Parker could not remember the robbery as he said he was a "spicehead" at the time.

It happened in King Edward Street
It happened in King Edward Street

He told the court: "He was arrested on December 18, two and a half months after, having been identified by CCTV. He stated at first it wasn't anything he could remember. He had been visiting Hull visiting friends and would stay for weeks or months as he was using heroin and spice that would make him out of it and he doesn't know what's going on around him.

"He couldn't remember but did accept when he was shown a still image that it looked like him but he didn't know who the other man was. He accepts that it counts as robbery but he couldn't recall what was said. He identified himself on the CCTV and became upset.

"He stated that he wanted to speak to the complainant to say sorry and said he was a 'spicehead' at the time and had no memory of his actions."

The court heard Parker had been diagnosed with psychosis and paranoia in 2018 after a four-week stay in hospital. Representing him, Claire Holmes told the court he was now on medication for his issues.

An emotional victim impact statement from the man Parker targeted, outlining the impact the robbery has had on his life, was read to the court.

The 18-year-old man, who lives with learning difficulties that can hinder his understanding of what people are saying to him and his short term memory, said Parker's crimes have changed his life.

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He said: "When it happened I felt angry and was very upset . I was shaken up and didn't expect it to happen to me. It caught me by surprise. Since then I don't like going to town anymore. I have to be with someone, I don't like crowded places.

"Before, I would walk anywhere but this has affected my life. I would go to the shops or to town.

"My sleeping has changed ever since and it has been a big struggle to sleep. I can't force myself and a lot of the time I go to sleep at around 7am or 8am and then only sleep for a couple of hours. I don't want to do anything. I prefer to eat at my family's whereas before I would be hungry all of the time, now I don't seem to have any appetite.

"Due to having my money stolen it put me in a financial situation and I had to borrow from my parents.

"i just want my life back to normal. It won't feel right until this is over."

Miss Holmes told the court that Parker was experiencing his first taste of custody and was "vulnerable" himself.

She said: "He's not had any visits while being in prison. He's never been in prison before and is finding it very difficult. A first time in custody can have a very strange affect on someone.

"He has sent through me his apologies to the complainant and he is genuinely sorry for how he made him feel. He was taking spice at the time and recognises that would be a very dangerous thing to do with his state of mental health.

"He has not been taking it now and is completely clean."

Judge John Thackray told the court that it was a "very serious offence" that was carried out by Parker and one he should experience an immediate prison sentence for.

He said: "You are 28 years old. Your victim was out shopping, minding his own business and was targeted by you.

"I have seen the offence on CCTV. It took place in broad daylight. The level of intimidation was increased by the fact others were surrounding, at least one was known by you, with who you shared the proceeds with and ran away. The court doesn't underestimate the effects of your offending on the man."

The judge handed Parker a two-year prison sentence, of which he must serve up to half in custody and the rest on licence.

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