Muggers jailed for death fear phone attack

Two muggers who left a stranger fearing he would be killed when they attacked him for his mobile phone have been jailed.

Dean Graham, 31, and Armindo Silva, 29, punched, kicked and strangled the man after setting upon him in Newcastle in May last year, the city's crown court heard.

The victim was left with bruises across his body and believed he was going to die during the assault, the city court heard.

Both admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and were jailed for two years and five months.

Silva, of Brock Square in Byker, also admitted theft.

Graham was jailed for a further three months for assaulting a worker at a charity that helped homeless people.

The first victim was walking home in Byker before midnight on 7 May when Silva confronted him and asked who he was and where he was going, prosecutor Nick Lane said.

Graham then walked up to the man making him fear he was going to be attacked, the court heard.

He tried to flee but was knocked to the ground and repeatedly struck in the head and body by the two men, who then made off with his jacket and phone.

Judge Penelope Moreland said the pair had been drinking and taking drugs before the attack and the victim "thought he was going to die".

Graham, Wraysbury Court in Kingston Park, also admitted assaulting a worker at a shop in Newcastle, which helps to homeless people.

The court heard he was drunk and "causing trouble" at the shop on 23 November so was asked to leave by a female worker.

Instead of going he made suggestive remarks, then pulled his top off and grabbed the woman in a "bear hug" before dropping her and causing her to hit her head.

A restraining order was also made banning Graham from contacting the woman.

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