Mugger of 95-year-old sent to District Court for sentence

Elsie Jones was returning home after buying a bottle of milk when she was mugged. Picture / Andrew Labett

A 16-year-old who mugged a frail woman of 95 as she walked home from the shops will be sentenced in the Napier District Court rather than the Youth Court.

When the youth, who has permanent name suppression, appeared last month he did not deny the charges and his lawyer, Roger Phillip, asked that he be sentenced in the Youth Court.

"It will be hard for him to go forward if he's got that conviction in the District Court. You will risk his life chances."

But Judge Geoff Rea decided against leaving the indictably laid charges in the Youth Court, describing its sentencing options as "inadequate".

The victim, Elsie Jones, was returning to her home at Swansea village after buying a bottle of milk at the Flaxmere Shopping Centre when two youths ran up behind her and grabbed her shopping bag and purse.

Police prosecutor Dave Greig said the pair ran into a service lane where the 16-year-old drank the milk and they split the $8 in Mrs Jones' purse, before throwing it on the roof. The 16-year-old then went to a takeaway bar and spent the money.

Judge Rea said the youth and his alleged co-offender had stalked the elderly lady and he had time to dissociate himself from the activity.

"It was particularly mean-spirited," the judge said. "The physical injuries have healed but she will have the emotional scars for the rest of her life. This offending has virtually destroyed the independence this woman had.

"I accept he's sorry for what he did but it's hard to know if the remorse is for the victim or for the predicament he finds himself in."

He was remanded on bail until October 24, when he will be sentenced in the Napier District Court.

His co-accused, Wairoa Gemmell, 18, will reappear in the Hastings District Court on October 13 for a depositions hearing.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY