A teenage tearaway robbed a man of his £600 wages - but then gave him £10 back so he could get a haircut.
Sebastian Bodnar was 17 at the time he followed a man off a bus in Broad Lane, Bramley, in June last year and grabbed his bag. Leeds Crown Court heard on Wednesday a witness described hearing another man shout "threaten to stab him" but no knife was produced.
Prosecutor Robert Galley said: "The bag was taken from the man who was relatively co-operative. He said his wages were in it and the defendant stole that but gave back £10 when he [the victim] said he needed his identification and money for a haircut."
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Bodnar, now 18, had already been arrested the year before in July 2021 after being spotted by officers outside a shop on North Lane, Headingley with a group of others taking part in "hand to hand deals."
The court heard that Bodnar was found hiding in a garden and a search of his man bag revealed 10 bags of cocaine with a total of 1.6g and a bag of 28g of cannabis with an estimated street value of £150. £33 in cash and another bag of cocaine was also found on him.
Mr Galley said that while on bail for these offences and the subject of a youth rehabilitation order, on February 2 this year Bodnar, of Outgang Lane, Leeds broke into a house. Mr Galley said: "A man was at his home and heard noises and banging at around 2.30am. He realised two men were knocking on a door up the street but he was disturbed again at 4.30am.
"This time the noises were from inside his address. He locked his bedroom door and contacted the police. The police attended and he dropped down his keys down to them and they entered and saw this man [Bodnar] and two others running."
No items were stolen in the burglary but the court heard a window had been broken. When officers gave chase, Bodnar was caught and was in possession of a balaclava. He told police the house was his aunt's, but it was not.
Mitigating, Andrea Parnham told the court Bodnar does not yet have settled status in the UK. She said: "He can't access any help or support a normal 18-year-old would be able to. He can't access employment, housing help or benefits."
Ms Parnham said Bodnar has been making "very good progress" with his youth rehabilitation order and added: "He tells me that his being remanded into custody has been a wake up call for him."
The court was told Bodnar pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis at a plea, trial and preparation hearing, burglary at the magistrates' court. He pleaded guilty to robbery when he appeared for sentencing on Wednesday.
His Honour Judge Ray Singh handed Bodnar a suspended sentence and told him: "You are now an adult, you are now 18 and you are appearing in the adult court and the Crown court and that needs to sink in for a moment so you understand these courts are not a soft touch.
"The sentencing powers we have available are significantly greater than those in the Youth Court and any future appearances by you will result in longer and longer prison sentences."
He handed Bodnar a two-year sentence suspended for two years. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement. The judge said: "Any breaches and I will lock you up do you understand?"
Bodnar said: "Thank you so much, I do. Nice and clear your honour."
He then thanked the judge and counsel in the case.
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