Serial thief who robbed vulnerable man on doorstep jailed

Michaela Mullen shoved the victim, who was unsteady on his feet, causing him to fall, and fled with a bag of shopping.

To add insult to injury, the brazen robber went back to the Eastwood convenience store where the man had just been and tried to return some of his shopping in exchange for cash.

Sheffield Crown Court heard on Friday that 41-year-old Mullen, of Jennings Close, Eastwood, had 37 previous convictions for 68 offences, including instances of theft and burglary.

She was subject to a community order at the time of the robbery.

Mr Benjamin Bell, prosecuting, said she had approached the victim, who knew her, although not by name, outside a shop on Selwyn Road, Eastwood, on February 7 and begun talking to him.

As he had made his way home, she had repeatedly asked him for money.

Mr Bell said when the man had entered the block where he lived, Mullen had pushed him, leading to fall to the floor.

“They got to his address and he entered the communal area, using the door handle to steady himself,” he said.

“The defendant barged past him and pushed him, causing him to fall to the floor and drop his bag.”

Mr Bell said Mullen had picked up the bag and run away.

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“She was arrested the same day and found to have a bag with some of the items.”

The prosecutor said Mullen had tried and failed to get a refund for some of the items at the convenience store.

Mr Bell said the victim — who has since died — had said in an impact statement that it had made him feel afraid to go out.

When interviewed by police, Mullen denied having assaulted the man or stolen anything.

The court heard the victim was considered vulnerable as he was unsteady on his feet and Mullen had followed him to his home and robbed him.

Recorder Mark Giuliani decided not to class Mullen as a “dangerous offender”, which would have meant a longer sentence, but said the robbery was aggravated by the victim’s vulnerability and her own long criminal record.

“I’m satisfied only an immediate custodial sentence is justified,” said the judge, jailing Mullen for two years.