ollowing the release of “terrible” video showing a guy being almost beaten to death as a girl is also being detained, a 16-year-old boy has been held in jail after being charged with robbery.
The 40-year-old guy is seen in the video sitting on Blackpool Promenade on Wednesday morning, “totally defenseless,” and “minding his own business.” Police believe the man was being recorded by an accomplice.
Near the lifeboat station in the beach town, a different man approaches him and begs him for a smoke before yelling at him.
The victim is then violently kicked and punched by the perpetrator, who then picks up the victim’s bag and leaves.
According to Lancashire Police, the man suffered several fractured bones, severe cuts, and bruises, but ‘luckily’ no life-threatening wounds.
The degree of aggression demonstrated by the suspect [in the video] is, to put it bluntly, incredibly frightening and reprehensible, according to Det Supt. Becky Smith.
According to detectives, a 16-year-old boy appeared today at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court and will appear again on September 15 at Blackpool Youth Court to answer robbery charges related to the incident.
A 16-year-old girl was also detained by police this evening on suspicion of planning a robbery. She is still being held.
The video – which police allege was filmed by an accomplice – shows a man in his 40s sitting on Blackpool Promenade ‘completely defenceless’ and ‘minding his own business’ on Wednesday morning when a male approaches
Another male approaches him and asks him for a cigarette then starts shouting at him near Blackpool Lifeboat Station
The attacker then starts repeatedly kicking and punching the victim before picking up and taking his bag.
According to Lancashire police, the man suffered several fractured bones, severe cuts, and bruises, but ‘luckily’ no life-threatening wounds.
‘We tweeted earlier today about the distressing footage of the guy being abused and robbed on The Prom and we informed you that a 16-year-old lad had been detained and charged with robbery,’ a force spokeswoman said in a statement sent to Lancs Live.
Just to keep you informed, he recently appeared in magistrate court and was remanded into jail. On September 15, he will next be in front of the Blackpool Youth Court.
Additionally, we wanted to inform you that a 16-year-old girl was detained this afternoon on suspicion of conspiring to rob. We think she was the one who recorded the event. She’s being held right now.
Some individuals have questioned the decision to prosecute the youngster with robbery. Robbery is a severe offense with a life sentence as the maximum punishment.
The Blackpool tower is a famous landmark opposite the promenade on Blackpool’s Golden Mile
‘The offence is committed when someone steals from another while threatening or using force against the victim.
‘When we have reviewed all the evidence, we will of course consider any other appropriate charges.
‘Once again, we would like to stress that such levels of violence will not be tolerated in our communities and we will relentlessly pursue those who commit such heinous crimes.’
Det Supt Smith added: ‘The level of violence displayed by this suspect against a completely defenceless man who is sat down minding his own business is quite frankly extremely disturbing and inexcusable.
‘The fact that an accomplice sees fit to stand nearby watching and actually filming this despicable incident, making no attempt to stop it or offer any assistance to the male who is clearly seriously injured, makes this crime even worse.’