A man has been jailed for callously pick-pocketing a women as she was having a seizure in an alley in Manchester.
“Despicable” Noel Steadman has been sentenced to 22 months in prison after targeting a 39-year-old woman.
After spotting the vulnerable victim on the ground, Steadman and another man rushed to her, before rifling through her pockets and taking her iPhone 6 Plus.
It was only after the pair were disturbed by a passer-by and seeing an ambulance arrive to the scene that Steadman and the unknown man fled the scene, police said.
Chief Inspector Cherie Buttle, of GMP’s City Centre team, said: “Noel Steadman’s actions were nothing short of despicable and I am pleased to be able to say that, as a result of the work carried out by our City Centre Team including officers from Operation Valiant, he has now been jailed.
“This has been a painstaking investigation for the team, and they kept the victim at the heart of everything they did in their pursuit of justice.
“I know the fact that Steadman will be unable to offend in Manchester City Centre for the foreseeable future has brought her great comfort and reassurance. I would like to thank her and pay tribute for the incredible courage she showed in coming forward to support the investigation.
“I hope this case serves as a clear example of the dedication that our Operation Valiant team is prepared to show to bring prosecutions against those who seek to commit one of the most personal of crimes.”
The incident happened in Nicholas Street in March.
After pleading guilty to theft, Steadman was sentenced to 22 months in prison. He has also been given a four month prison sentence for vehicle interference.
The sentences will run concurrently.
