A victim who was punched and robbed during an evening walk has spoken of his relief and gratitude after his assailant was jailed.
The 59-year-old man, who does not wish to be identified, was walking along Station Road in Beeston when he heard what he thought was a jogger approaching him from behind.
Unfortunately for him it was not a jogger but mugger John Christon, who immediately launched into a violent assault.
The victim explained: “Before I knew what was happening, I was punched in the face. The blow knocked my glasses off and just stunned me a bit. My attacker didn’t say anything at first and just kept hitting me in the face.
“It was a very stressful situation as I was really powerless to do anything. I was no physical match for him so I couldn’t fight him or even outrun him. I really just wanted him to stop hitting me before he did some real damage. I remember at the time wondering when he was actually going to get around to telling me what he wanted, and I had to ask him.”
Christon, aged 33, demanded money from his victim and – when he realised he didn’t have any on him – demanded his bank card instead.
He then fled the scene.
Unaware that he had been given a false PIN, Christon was later caught on CCTV as he tried and failed to withdraw £250 from a cash machine in Alfreton Road, Radford.
Christon, who was bare-chested at the time of the attack shortly after midnight on Monday October 11, was identified partly thanks to a number of distinctive tattoos.
A police investigation also unearthed footage of him being driven away in a car that was later tracked to Derbyshire.
Officers then pulled the car over and Christon was arrested later on 12 October 2021
Christon, of Willowcroft Road, Derby, declined to comment in his subsequent police interview but later pleaded guilty to charge of robbery and fraud.
Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (28 July 2022) he was jailed for three years and nine months for robbery and fraud by false representation.
The victim suffered a bloodied nose and bruising, and required stitches for a cut to his forehead. Further medical appointments were needed to ensure he had not sustained any irreversible damage to his eyes.
Speaking after the sentence he added: “Thankfully I have no other similar experience to compare them against, but I think the officers involved in this case did a really good job to move so quickly and get a suspect in custody. In the weeks since I have been given regular updates about the cases and am now relieved and happy that this man has been brought to justice.”
Detective Constable Andrew Sibley, of Nottinghamshire Police said: “This was a frightening ordeal for the victim who had been enjoying a late night walk at the time of the attack.
“Nobody should fear being assaulted and robbed as they are going about their business so I am delighted that Christon has now been taken off the streets.
“He is a violent thug who launched an entirely unprovoked attack against a victim he knew had no hope of defending himself.
“He seemingly thought he could carry out this kind of attack without being caught but clearly hadn’t reckoned upon the very quick thinking of his victim or the determination and tenacity of Nottinghamshire Police.”
