Man jailed for "despicable" robbery of quadriplegic woman

A MAN was caged after the “despicable” late night robbery of a vulnerable quadriplegic woman he met on the bus.

John Burns tried to make conversation during the journey home before getting off at the same stop and following his victim.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Burns (35) grabbed the woman’s bag and ran off, leaving her shouting for help and frightened.

The robber, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 56 months’ imprisonment by a judge last Friday.

The court heard that Burns took the same 10.45pm bus as victim Karen Bradshaw at Rotherham bus station.

CCTV footage showed him getting on the bus before Miss Bradshaw in her wheelchair and clearing chairs in the disabled bay for her.

Ms Beverley Tate, prosecuting, said that Burns had appeared friendly and chatted but Miss Bradshaw tried to discourage further conversation by turning away.

But when she got off the bus, Burns followed her.

Miss Tate said: “Miss Bradshaw told him not to follow her. He said he was just walking with her. She asked him to walk ahead.”

Burns told his victim that he lived close by and crossed the road with her, causing Miss Bradshaw to feel scared.

Ms Tate said: “He carried on walking with her until she was near where she resided.”

Burns then grabbed her bag which was around her middle, pulling the strap over her head as Miss Bradshaw tried to fight back.

She called for help and a man came from the care home where she was staying while on holiday in the area, but she was initially afraid of him too, because of what had happened.

As well as the bag, Burns had made off with cash, a camera and a purse.

Police tracked down Burns from the bus CCTV and he denied the offence. He continued to deny his involvement even after Miss Bradshaw picked him out in an ID parade.

In a statement to the court, Miss Bradshaw said the robbery had made her depressed.

She said that she had tried to cut her wrists but her disability had prevented her doing it.

Miss Bradshaw said she felt scared whenever she went out.

Burns’ robbery had left her with no money and no rail ticket to get back home, the court was told.

Mr Edward Moss, mitigating for Burns, said his client “fully understands the serious nature of the offence”.

He added: “He seriously understands that in any shape or form this is a truly despicable act.”

Mr Moss said Burns had a background of mental health difficulties and a history of drug induced psychosis.

He was now free of methadone but at the time of the offence he had been “dabbling in Class A”.

Recorder Judge Graham Cook condemned Burns’ action, described it as “one of the most appalling cases I have ever had the displeasure to be dealing with.”

He added: “You have devastated this lady’s life.”

Judge Cook said half of Burns’ 56-month sentence would be in custody and the rest released on licence.