Crossbow
to the head robber gets
eight years

A ROBBER has been given an extended jail sentence after he terrorised a homeless man sleeping rough, holding a loaded crossbow to his head and pulling a knife on him.

Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday Christopher Harrison struck in the early hours of October 22 last year when Czech national Jiri Tutura was asleep near the Dark Arches by Leeds Railway Station.

He woke to find Harrison standing over him demanding money.

Shamaila Qureshi, prosecuting, said the victim tried to explain his English was poor but Harrison produced the crossbow from under his clothing before taking a bolt out and loading it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He then held it against Mr Tutura’s left temple before putting it down and holding a small knife to his throat. Throughout he was shouting and demanding money. Eventually he stole the victim’s rucksack and watch.

Miss Qureshi said before Harrison was arrested he committed a further robbery the next day near the footbridge at the end of Great George Street, Leeds.

Harrison and another man confronted a person sitting there about whose right it was to collect or beg for money in that spot.

When someone threw a coin towards that man Harrison demanded it and started punching him. He then produced a knife saying: “I’m going to do you.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He then gave the knife to the other man and continued to punch the complainant before taking his watch and mobile phone.

Harrison, 31 of Landseer Avenue, Bramley, Leeds admitted both robberies, possessing the crossbow as an offensive weapon, and the knife and bladed article.

Jailing him for eight years with an extended five years on licence after his release, Judge Scott Wolstenholme said he agreed with a psychiatrist who described Harrison as “a dangerous offender” with an “unstable personality disorder” aggravated by substance abuse.

Narinder Rathour for Harrison said he felt genuine remorse for his actions. He had received medication for his mental health problems and was making progress.