A robber who violently attacked a 13-year-old schoolgirl after she refused to hand over her mobile phone has been jailed.
James Valentine, aged 21, approached the teenager while she was sat on swings in Queen’s Bower Recreation Ground, Arnold.
When she refused to give Valentine her phone he became aggressive – pulling her to the ground and kicking her in the stomach.
Valentine, of Heathfield Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, admitted robbery at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (15 November 2022) and was locked up for four years.
Detective Constable Shannon Hutchinson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This must have been a terrifying experience for the teenage victim, who will have believed she was in danger of being seriously hurt throughout the ordeal.
“In interviews with officers she described being extremely scared for her safety during the attack.
“So I am pleased Valentine has been brought before the courts and given such a significant prison sentence.”
The incident took place on 20 January 2022 when Valentine demanded the girl hand over her phone.
When she refused, he grabbed her by the hair, dragged her to the ground and kicked her in the stomach.
The victim then tried to get up, but Valentine grabbed her by her school tie and pulled her back to the ground.
He then seized the phone and ran off.
Police investigated the incident and were able to track down Valentine after carrying out house-to-house inquiries and studying CCTV.
Officers caught up with him in a pub in Sherwood, Nottingham, one week after the offence.
Det Con Hutchinson added: “The force will always respond robustly and decisively to every report we receive of robbery as we understand how much of a lasting impact this can have on victims.”
