Would-be muggers beaten and chased into Sheffield pub by “victim”

Two would-be muggers were fought off, punched in their faces, and chased into a Sheffield pub after picking on the wrong victim, a court has heard.
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The 24-year-old man was trying to attract the attention of a friend who was visible in a lighted window on Division Street, when he was approached by Lewis Roper, at 1am, on March 5, said prosecutor Brian Outhwaite.

"Are you waiting for students, bro'?" Roper asked him. "Are you a paedo?"

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He explained he was trying to contact a friend, but Roper kept repeating that he was waiting for students. Declan Stevenson arrived and threatened the man, saying: "I am going to bang you paedo."

Division Street, Sheffield, where the failed mugging took place.Division Street, Sheffield, where the failed mugging took place.
Division Street, Sheffield, where the failed mugging took place.

Roper said he was going to hurt him and began asking him for "dollar."

When he replied he only had a bank card, and took out his wallet to show them, Roper snatched it off him. Punches were thrown, but neither of them managed to hit him, and the victim knocked both Roper and Stevenson to the floor, causing facial injuries.

They ran off and hid in a pub, chased by their victim. Staff were preparing to lock up, and overheard one of them say: "Have you got a knife? I am going to stab him."

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Staff retrieved the wallet and the pair fled, but were later arrested.

In a statement, their "victim" said he thought he was picked on "because of my appearance, which people commonly associate with homosexuals."

"Fortunately I was able to defend myself," he added.

Peter Hampton, for Stevenson, said: “He pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and was 18 at the time. He has problems with his temper and he hopes to work on those issues. He hasn't been out since this incident. It seems that a lesson has been learned."

Matthew Burdon said Roper was drunk that night, and was drinking a 70cl bottle of vodka on a daily basis at the time, but has since stopped drinking.

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Both barristers denied their clients picked this particular victim because he looked vulnerable.

Stevenson, 20, of Spring Close Mount, Sheffield, pleaded guilty to affray, while Roper, 19, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to theft and common assault.

Judge Sarah Wright gave them 12-month community orders, with 30 rehabilitation days and a three-month curfew, from 7pm to 6am.

Read the latest cases from Sheffield Crown Court here.

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