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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Rob Kennedy & Chloe Burrell

'Flirting' beggars seduced man to hidden spot before biting and robbing him

'Flirting' beggars seduced a man who had given them money to a hidden spot where he was then bitten and robbed.

The victim had been on a night out when he saw Aaron and his friend asking for money and so handed him over some cash.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the pair asked the stranger if he wanted to go "somewhere more private" while in Newcastle and he believed the men were "flirting" with him and so agreed to go with them, Chronicle Live reports.

However, prosecutor Andrew Finlay informed the court: "Both put their hands into his pockets, one was trying to get his wallet and Angus was trying to get his phone.

"He resisted, keeping his hands in his pockets and a struggle ensued.

"He was then bitten by the defendant, which caused him to take his hands out of his pockets."

The court heard the victim's wallet contained £80 cash and a bank card, that the robbers used to buy themselves a £13.43 McDonald's meal.

Angus used the card again at two convenience stores, where he spent £24.32 and £28.45.

The victim said in a statement: "I feel scared and vulnerable.

"I feel like a fool."

The court heard the bite mark on the victim's arm was still visible two months later.

While on bail for the December 2018 attack, Angus broke into a Best One shop on Grainger Street in the city, when it was closed during lockdown in March 2020.

Cigarettes, worth £980 and tobacco, worth £280, were taken during the break-in, where damage was also caused.

In February this year, Angus was caught carrying a large screw when police were called to trouble that broke out at McDonald's on Grainger Street.

Angus, 40, of Tamworth Road, Newcastle, admitted robbery, fraud, burglary and having an offensive weapon.

Judge Penny Moreland sentenced him to five years behind bars, to which he responded "Eee I can't f****** believe that".

The judge told him: "You were begging in the city centre in the early hours of the morning and a man was kind enough to stop and give you some money.

"You kept him in conversation and then, it seems, lured him to a secluded spot where you and your co-accused who was with you robbed him.

"That robbery included the use of violence by you biting his hand so that you could take his phone and wallet."

Geoff Knowles, defending, said Angus was sleeping on the streets at the time of the robbery and his only source of income was through begging.

Mr Knowles said Angus would use the cash he made through begging to buy drink and drugs and added: "He has very limited recollection of what occurred on that night."

Mr Knowles said being remanded in custody has "transformed" Angus as it has forced him to face his drug and alcohol problems.

Angus' accomplice was dealt with previously at Teesside Crown Court for the offence and other matters.

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