Asylum seeker who robbed 'terrified' cancer survivor in South Shields walks free from court
"I genuinely don't think I will ever feel safe walking around the area I love."
An asylum seeker who robbed a 69-year-old cancer survivor in the street has been told it is a "pity" he repaid the UK's generosity by attacking a resident but has been allowed to keep his freedom.
Iranian national Peyman Afrasiyabipour grabbed the victim's purse, tried to take her phone and left her "upset, distressed and traumatised" after he targeted her in Whiteleas, South Shields, South Tyneside, in July.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the woman, who has served the community as a eucharistic minister, shouted out during the robbery and brave residents stepped in and detained Afrasiyabipour until the police got there.
The 27-year-old, of Reynolds Avenue, South Shields, who was granted asylum after he came to Britain from Iran four years ago, admitted robbery.
Recorder Brian Whitehead today sentenced him to two years, suspended for two-and-a-half years, with 150 hours unpaid work, rehabilitation requirements and a restraining order.
The recorder told him: "It is a pity you have repaid the generosity of this country by doing this but I hope you recognise you have done wrong."
"It is a pity you have repaid the generosity of this country by doing this”
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said the victim had been walking along Gainsborough Avenue with her purse in her left hand and added: "He approached her from behind and grabbed her purse from her hand, pulled her arm down and attempted to also grab her mobile telephone, this being kept around her left wrist."
Mr Wardlaw said the woman was "terrified" and shouted for help, which alerted a man who had been out walking.
The court heard the man chased and caught Afrasiyabipour.
Mr Wardlaw added: "He, assisted by another man, succeeded in detaining the defendant and the purse was returned, with the contents intact.
"The defendant attempted to make off for a second time but was again detained by residents."
The court heard the victim was let "upset, distressed and traumatised" and she said in an impact statement, which was read in court: "This incident has hurt me emotionally, I was terrified to be at home by myself after this incident.
"I can't believe that this happened to me and it has not just caused distress to me but also my family. All of my family have attended to comfort me as they were all very worried when they found out about this."
The woman said she was a recovering cancer patient and added: "I don't understand how someone could do this to someone like me. Elderly people deserve the right to feel safe when walking the streets in broad daylight.
"I genuinely don't think I will ever feel safe walking around the area I love."
The victim added in a later statement: "I'm wary when out on my own, especially when I heard people walking or running behind me, it brings me back to the day of the incident and makes me feel nervous and fearful.
"I have walked the streets of Whiteleas for over 25 years and it is my home town.
"I have never in my life felt unsafe in my own community.
"I have fought cancer and I now, in time and with the right support, I can hopefully put this whole ordeal behind me."
The court heard Afrasiyabipour, who had the assistance of an interpreter, wishes to "sincerely apologise" to the woman for the "opportunistic and impulsive" attack.
Afrasiyabipour was using drugs at the time but has no other convictions either in the UK or Iran.
Recorder Whitehead said Afrasiyabipour has a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and does not present a high risk of re-offending.