A CALLOUS teenage robber who targeted pensioners with his girl accomplice believed they were a modern day Bonnie and Clyde.
Benjamin John Collins craved attention and notoriety in the fantasy world in which he was then living, his counsel Edward Renvoize told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.
But sentencing him and his co-accused Tracey Marshall for robbing one pensioner an
d attempting to rob another, Judge Kerry Macgill likened them more to "hyenas" and "thugs".
He said they had deliberately targeted vulnerable victims – their first being a 74-year-old man could only walk at a quarter of the speed of most people because of problems with his legs.
"You followed him like a pair of hyenas waiting to see when you could seize your opportunity."
That man noticed them following him and felt anxious and frightened.
"He had every reason to be because you, Collins, rushed him with a screwdriver," Judge Macgill told him.
When the pensioner bravely struck out with his walking stick to defend himself as Marshall hovered nearby, Collins spat at him before abandoning the attack.
Not content with that they then decided to rob another man, aged 86, whom Collins knew through his grandson.
They walked into his home and after some subterfuge asking about the grandson Collins threatened him with a hammer before they left with cash and phones.
"These are despicable mean offences," the judge told them, adding the public were "tired of seeing and hearing about young thugs, because that is what both of you are. You want some money for drink or drugs, you don't think about working for it, oh No, you think let's go out and rob an elderly person."
Collins, 19, of no fixed address was sent to a young offender institution for four and half years and Marshall, 19, of Wilson Avenue, Mirfield, was locked up for three years. Both admitted robbery and attempted robbery.
Michael Smith, prosecuting, said both offences happened on April 19, the first around 4pm as the 74-year-old man was walking home in Mirfield.
The second man was targeted at around 5.30pm. When threatened, he handed over £10 but Collins then asked for his change as well.
Marshall and Collins left with both his house phone and mobile phone but Collins was subsequently traced with the help of the man's grandson.
