Robber who beat man with crutches calls co-defendants ‘scumbags’ as he is jailed

A thug who beat a man with his crutches has branded his co-defendants “scoundrels”.

Michael Strange and his then-partner Cassandra Shaw attacked their victim after he refused to lend them money. His ex-girlfriend and a second woman, Chelsea Stanley, also went down to be sentenced in connection with a robbery in which another man was knocked from his wheelchair before his attackers rifled through their pockets and steal money

Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday afternoon, Monday, that the complainant in the first incident, Simon Downes, had known Shaw “for some time” and had taken her to his home on Valley Road in Anfield when she was homeless, as well as loaned him the money. . The 37-year-old, of Charles Street in St Helens, had moved out of the address about a month before May 20, 2022, when she and Strange visited the property and spent the evening drinking with the occupant before leaving.

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Graham Pickavance, prosecuting, described how the couple then returned and demanded money from Mr Downes. When he refused, Strange, 36, dragged him outside and began hitting him with one of the crutches he was using because of an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Shaw armed himself with the other crutch and similarly attacked his victim with the mobility aid. Strange, of Alton Street in Crewe, then pulled a dog chain from his bag and began hitting Mr Downes with the object.

The windscreen of his car was meanwhile smashed by Shaw before both his attackers fled the scene. Mr Downes suffered a broken arm and had to undergo surgery to have a metal plate attached to the bone as a result.

Then, on April 18 last year, wheelchair user Robert Kay heard a noise at the door of his Tolver Street home in St Helens. When he answered, he was pushed onto Wesley Powell – a 23-year-old of no fixed address who had previously been jailed for six years for robbery – before one of his two accomplices took £46 in cash and bank card from his pockets.

Powell, Shaw and Stanley were caught on CCTV entering and leaving. Strange, who had no involvement in this second offence, was heard to remark “you’re in denial” as Mr Pickavance outlined the details of the altercation.

Shaw has 11 previous convictions for 24 offences, but none since 2006. Isabella Denn-White, appearing on her behalf, said: “Ms Shaw is quite a vulnerable woman.

“There were concerns about a violent and abusive relationship he was in. She is quite easily driven. He had a troubling and sad upbringing. This evolved in the life he lived.

“Her use of drugs and alcohol led to this type of offending. He is sorry and regrets and says he will never find himself in this situation again.

“He hasn’t been in court since 18 years ago, for minor offences. He’s been able to stay out of trouble and says it’s something he wants to do again. He can deal with his problems. He knows he needs to get help. They”

Strange’s criminal record shows 41 records for 107 crimes. Andrew McInnes, defending, told the court: “It wasn’t really Mr Strange’s argument and he now wishes he hadn’t been involved.

“It is compounded by Mr Strange’s previous convictions. It is an unattractive record. His previous violence is sporadic and certainly not at this level. He has suffered from a history of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“In this context, he tells me that custody is physically and mentally difficult for him. He had moved out of the area in an effort to get a fresh start.

“There are green shoots with a stable relationship. It is that stability that has always been Mr. Strange’s difficulty.”

Stanley, of Silkstone Close in St Helens, has no previous convictions. Brendan Carville, representing the 28-year-old, told the court his client was Powell’s girlfriend and was addicted to drugs at the time, adding: “In my view it’s a very limited involvement of a woman of previous character good. “

Shaw admitted causing grievous bodily harm, criminal damage and theft. Appearing via video link to HMP Styal, she received a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, plus a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days and a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

Strange pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm. He was jailed for 16 months, after which he turned to his girlfriend in the public gallery as he was led to the cells and told her: “See you in a minute.”

Stanley, who also appeared at the bank, admitted the theft. She was given a 15-month community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 20 days and a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.

Sentencing, Recorder Karen Ridge said of the attack on Mr Downes: “The whole ordeal was frightening and upsetting for him. It affected his daily life.”

The judge added of the robbery: “He was alone and vulnerable and feels even more so in his own home. It must have been a significant upsetting and distressing ordeal for him.”

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