Penarth 20-year-old jailed for robbing vulnerable teenager: Judge says he is 'wasting his life' (From Penarth Times)

Penarth 20-year-old jailed for robbing vulnerable teenager: Judge says he is 'wasting his life'

12:00pm Friday 5th October 2012 in News By Robert James Owen

A PENARTH man has been jailed after a “serious robbery on a vulnerable victim”.

Aron Mark Roger Taylor was sentenced to 60 weeks, when he appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Wednesday, September 26.

The 20-year-old, who appeared via video link from Cardiff Prison, was told by the judge that he was “wasting his life”, after the court heard how he robbed a 16-year-old with learning difficulties on Glebe Street.

The court was told that the victim was walking along the street, having been to a Windsor Road cash machine on Sunday, July 1, when he was approached by Taylor and a 13-year-old - who was also charged in connection with the offence.

He was held against a wall by his throat, and slapped several times, before the pair made off with £70 in cash.

Prosecutor David Pugh said: “It was only because a witness approached that the attack stopped.”

The court heard that two days later the 16-year-old victim was in Penarth town centre, when he recognised Taylor among a group of people. The police were called and he was arrested. He admitted the charge.

Taylor, who had 14 previous court appearances for 21 offences, was told the robbery was aggravated by the fact that he was in breach of a previous sentence for two public order offences.

The judge said: “It also has to be acknowleged that you chose to commit your crime with someone considerably younger than you.”

In mitigation, Matthew Cobbe, defending said: “He recognises the factors in his life that have led him to this point, namely alcohol, cannabis and the company he keeps.

“But he has completed two courses since he has been in custody and it would seem he is actively seeking to make changes.”

Taylor was told by the judge: “You would do well to think about your sentence. Being a criminal benefits no-one.

“You have talents and it’s about time you started using them.”

He will serve a 60 week sentence, which includes the previous 12 week suspended sentence of which he was in breach.

He will also be subject to a supervision order upon his release.

* In connection with the offence, a 13-year-old admitted a charge of robbery at Cardiff and Vale Youth Court in July and was handed a 12 month behaviour contract and ordered to pay £200 compensation.