Robber Attack on Man at Cash Point While on Bail for Sex Offence Against Girl
A shocking incident unfolded in Cardiff as a man was attacked at a cash point while one of the assailants, Andrew Jones, was on bail for committing a sexual offence against a seven-year-old girl. The robbery took place near a casino in the Capital Retail Park in Leckwith, where Jones and his accomplice, Steven Clarke, targeted Xiong He as he attempted to withdraw money from the machine on April 4 last year.
Mr He, having just lost money at the casino, fell victim to the robbers who were waiting near the cash machine. The CCTV footage captured Clarke and another man attacking Mr He, trying to snatch the £240 he had withdrawn. Despite their efforts, they were unsuccessful in obtaining the money until Jones joined in and left the victim facing three robbers alone. Mr He sustained severe injuries to his face during the attack.
Jones, who was on bail at the time, was arrested after his DNA was found on Mr He’s jacket. In a cruel twist, it was revealed that Jones had a previous conviction for a sexual offence against a young girl. The victim, now an adult, bravely reported the incident and Jones later pleaded guilty to attempting to have sexual intercourse with a girl under 13 years old. She expressed her desire for justice in a moving victim personal statement read in court.
Both Jones and Clarke pleaded guilty to robbery, with Clarke receiving a sentence of three years and two months imprisonment, while Jones was sentenced to three years and nine months behind bars. In mitigation, it was stated that Jones had a history of drug addiction, and his previous sexual offence occurred when he was just a teenager. On the other hand, Clarke expressed genuine remorse for his actions and cited personal trauma as contributing factors to his behaviour.
The judge, Shomon Khan, handed down the sentences, taking into account the severity of the crimes committed. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the impact of criminal actions on victims and the importance of upholding justice in such cases. The bravery of the victim in coming forward to seek justice highlights the resilience and courage of survivors of such traumatic experiences.
The court proceedings shed light on the harrowing experiences faced by victims of crime and the long-lasting effects on their lives. The sentencing of the perpetrators sends a strong message that such abhorrent behaviour will not be tolerated in society. As the community grapples with the aftermath of such incidents, it is imperative to support and empower victims to seek justice and heal from their traumatic experiences.