Teen robber kicked victim ‘like a football’

Jun 26 2009 By Huddersfield Examiner

Mr McLachlan said that as a result of the attack, Mr Crowther was anxious about going out at night and was afraid to walk the streets.

Martindale told police he had been drinking whisky and had no recollection of the robbery.

In March, Martindale and another man had dragged a 31-year-old man from his car, again in the Bradford Road area, and robbed him of his computer.

That victim was punched during the incident, but Martindale denied using any violence.

The next day Martindale and an accomplice burgled a house at Smiths Avenue, Marsh.

The teenager, who is now 17, was remanded in custody, but was released in April after a successful bail application.

Martindale was yesterday sent to a young offender institution after he admitted two offences of robbery and one of burglary.

He also asked Judge Robert Bartfield to take into account 15 other offences, including six more robberies.

Barrister Alistair Campbell, for Martindale, said the teenager had a troubled background and alcohol had played a large part in his offending.

"He wants to move away from the Huddersfield area and start afresh,’’ said Mr Campbell.

Judge Bartfield said the muggings had been "grave street robberies’’ and it was fortunate that Mr Crowther was not seriously injured.

"He was left, as one would expect, not only queasy and feeling ill, but unable to face going out on the streets again because he might come across the likes of you,’’ the judge told Martindale.

"You were remanded in custody, but you applied for bail and I’ve not doubt the magistrates were told you realised what you had done and you were going to behave yourself.

"The way you behaved yourself was, within two days of being released on an electronic tag, to commit another robbery.’’