Muggers ‘brought shame on city’ when they robbed visiting railway enthusiast

Judge Jonathan Rose told Daniel Atter, 23, and Jonathon Brown, 18, they had brought shame on the city by attacking Hull man, Michael Clarke, after he attended an event at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway last month.

Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday that Mr Clarke never wanted to set foot in the city again. Mr Clarke and a friend were using a satellite navigation device when they were approached by three men.

Atter punched Mr Clarke in the face, knocking him to the ground, then kicked him. Brown grabbed the navigation device and they fled.

The pair were living at a complex for young people in the Vicar Lane area of Bradford when they were arrested. Earlier in the day, Brown had also stolen from a shop on Leeds Road.

They denied being responsible for the robbery and were bailed, but a few days later they tried to break into a flat.

Atter admitted offences of robbery and attempted burglary, and was jailed for three years and nine months. Brown pleaded guilty to those two offences and also admitted further charges of theft and criminal damage. He was sent to a young offenders’ institution for two years and nine months.