…By Alan Peterson for TDPel Media.
In a disturbing incident that took place in Swansea city centre, a man was subjected to a violent robbery after leaving a convenience store.
The victim was followed by Rebecca Myers, who propositioned him for sex.
Soon after, Nicholas Riggeard and Anthony Shannon attacked the man, using physical force, including hitting him with a beer bottle and punching and kicking him.
Following the assault, the trio proceeded to use the victim’s bank card to purchase alcohol and lottery scratch cards.
Preplanned Attack and Robbery
During the trial at Swansea Crown Court, the judge firmly stated that the victim had been deliberately targeted and followed before the assault took place.
The incident occurred on April 16, in the morning, on High Street.
According to Sian Cutter, the prosecutor, the victim had just left the CK shop near the railway station when Myers approached him with a proposition.
Despite the man’s rejection and attempts to leave, Myers persisted.
Suddenly, the man was struck from behind, and upon turning around, he was confronted by Shannon and Riggeard.
Aggression Escalates and Robbery Occurs
Miss Cutter explained that Shannon accused the man of making advances toward his sister and demanded that he empty his pockets.
Shannon then struck the man’s head with a bottle of Stella lager.
Riggeard joined the assault, repeatedly punching the man, and subsequently putting him in a head-lock while threatening to break his neck.
Shannon continued the attack by delivering kicks to the man’s ribs.
Meanwhile, the victim’s pockets were searched.
The assailants seized the man’s phone and bank card.
Despite being provided with the PIN for the mobile phone, Riggeard was unable to unlock it, causing him to become enraged and threaten the victim with a stabbing.
Aftermath and Arrests
After the robbery, the trio fled the scene, leaving behind a bloodied and battered victim.
The man managed to make his way home, where his wife contacted the police.
The court learned that the man suffered bruising, swelling, and tenderness on his face, neck, and abdomen, along with a chipped tooth and blood in his mouth and ear.
The defendants proceeded to walk to St Thomas, where they used the victim’s bank card to buy alcohol, lottery scratch cards, and withdraw money using the cash-back feature.
CCTV footage from the CK shop was crucial in identifying the three defendants.
They were subsequently arrested later that day, with Shannon found in possession of the victim’s mobile phone.
Criminal Background and Sentencing
During the trial, details of the defendants’ criminal history were revealed.
Riggeard had 26 previous convictions for 38 offenses, including assaulting police officers and theft.
Shannon had 19 previous convictions for 30 offenses, including robbery, possession of cannabis, common assaults, and thefts.
Myers had 13 previous convictions for 23 offenses, including drug possession and assaults on emergency workers.
In the sentencing, Riggeard and Shannon, who had pleaded guilty to robbery and fraudulent bank card use, were sentenced to 42 months and 49 months in prison, respectively.
With the discount for her guilty plea, Myers received a 10-week prison sentence.
Riggeard and Shannon will serve half of their sentences in custody before being released on license.
Myers, who has been in prison on remand since April 18, has effectively served half of her sentence and will be released immediately.