Robber put cable around 76-year-old stranger's neck after following him into dark alley
A robber who put a cable around a 76-year-old stranger's neck after following him into a dark alley has been put behind bars.
Paul Mullen tailed his victim from a train station in a city suburb then attacked and took all of his possessions, including his wallet, phone and house keys.
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Newcastle Crown Court heard the man did not suffer serious injury, despite being kicked and stamped on but was left traumatised after the ordeal.
He said in an impact statement: "I had a wire put around my neck, I thought he was going to kill me.
"You don't expect someone to come up behind and attempt to strangle you.
"I didn't know what was happening to me."
Mullen, 50, of Queens Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle, admitted robbery and fraud in relation to the use of the victim's bank card after the attack.
Judge Tim Gittins sentenced Mullen to five years and seven months behind bars.
The judge said: "You were intoxicated and I am sure that you were loitering at the West Jesmond Metro to look for a a victim.
"You targeted someone with some physical difficulties and having followed him out of the Metro station and around the corner you attacked him as he walked down a dark black alley. He wasn't known to you.
"You approached him from behind and without warning put a cable or wire around his neck.
"Fortunately he was able to get his hand underneath before any serious damage was done but it would undoubtedly have been a terrifying incident."
Once the victim was on the ground Mullen kicked and stamped on his upper body and head then rifled through his pockets and took his possessions, including his house keys.
Mullen then used the man's bank card to take an £8 taxi journey and spent £40 at a garage shop.
Shaun Routledge, defending, said Mullen has had time to think while on remand and added: "He is extremely, extremely remorseful."