A young dad robbed a stranger in Birkenhead after marching him to a cash machine.
Neil Griffiths, 27, and a friend approached the victim at 3am on a winter morning and asked him if any local pubs were open. The victim told Griffiths and the companion there were none open at the time of day.
Following this there was pushing and shoving and the victim was elbowed in the face, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday. Rebecca Smith, prosecuting, said Griffiths, who had been drinking since 5.30pm the previous day and his friend then took him to a nearby ATM and made off with the £65 he was made to withdraw.
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The victim suffered soft tissue swelling to his face, knee and hands. Griffiths, of Brunswick Court, Birkenhead, pleaded guilty to the robbery which took place on 20 February, 2020.
The court heard he has previous convictions and is to appear before magistrates for assaulting an emergency worker earlier this year. Judge David Potter said because of his bad record only immediate imprisonment was appropriate and jailed him for two and a half years.
Anna Duke, prosecuting, said that at the time Griffith’s life “was extremely chaotic”. The defendant, who has ADHD, was taking alcohol and drugs and had personal problems including the end of a close relationship.
She urged the judge not to jail him pointing out that he is now the father of a three month old daughter and has resolved to stay away from drink and drugs.
