These offenders took advantage or had no regard for their victims’ vulnerabilities whether it was their young or old age, their disabilities or whether they were pregnant and expecting a child.
Judges could not fail to notice how these defendants exploited their victims’ vulnerabilities in each of these cases by either scaring them, attacking them or stealing from them.
In one case two half-brothers beat a disabled man to death, in another a violent husband smashed his wife over the head with a hammer and robbers, burglars and thieves all preyed upon the elderly and disabled.
But these defendants who failed to be dissuaded from their crimes due to the vulnerabilities of their victims have all been put behind bars for their heartless and cowardly offending.
Judges could not fail to notice how these defendants exploited their victims’ vulnerabilities in each of these cases by either scaring them, attacking them or stealing from them.
7. Kyle Martin
Sheffield Crown Court heard in May how half-brothers Kyle Martin, pictured, and Gareth Leach attacked 45-year-old disabled man Dean Williamson in the street outside his home in Rotherham after they believed Mr Williamson had stolen their mother’s mobility scooter. Martin, aged 22 at the time of sentencing, of Selwyn Street, Eastwood, Rotherham, and Leach, aged 28 at the time of sentencing, of Brameld Road, Swinton, were found not guilty of murder by a trial jury but Martin had pleaded guilty to manslaughter following his arrest and Leach had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and to perverting the course of justice just before the trial. They were sentenced to nine years of custody each. Photo: SYP
8. Gareth Leach
Gareth Leach, pictured, and his half-brother Kyle Martin attacked 45-year-old disabled man Dean Williamson in the street outside his home in Rotherham after they believed Mr Williamson had stolen their mother’s mobility scooter. Leach, aged 28 at the time of sentencing in May, of Brameld Road, Swinton, and Martin, aged 22 at the time of sentencing, of Selwyn Street, Eastwood, Rotherham, were found not guilty of murder by a trial jury but Martin had pleaded guilty to manslaughter following his arrest and Leach had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and to perverting the course of justice just before the trial. They were each sentenced to nine years of custody. Photo: SYP