Robber jailed after victim tracks him using iPhone

A street robber who was caught after his victim tracked him using his stolen phone has been jailed.

John Arnold, 43, fled with the victim's iPhone after confronting him on Lincoln High Street and claiming to have a "dirty needle".

Lincoln Crown Court heard Arnold was caught shortly after at a nearby homeless shelter.

He was jailed for four years and nine months after admitting a single charge of robbery on 3 May last year.

The court heard the man had been walking near St Mary le Wigford church late at night when he noticed Arnold making a "bee-line" towards him.

Stuart Lody, prosecuting, told the court Arnold had appeared agitated and asked the man if he could make a call on his phone.

The victim agreed to make the call himself but was reluctant to hand his phone over, Mr Lody said.

After the call went to answerphone, Arnold grabbed the victim's wrist and tried to get his phone, the court heard.

The victim punched Arnold to defend himself but let go of the phone after his attacker shouted "I've got a dirty needle on me mate," Mr Lody added.

After returning home, the victim used his iPad to shut his phone down and track Arnold's location.

Police arrested Arnold at a nearby homeless shelter and he denied the robbery, claiming to have found the iPhone.

The court also heard Arnold had a number of previous convictions for arson, robbery and burglary.

In mitigation, Neil Sands said: "This was a threat of violence but nothing was produced."

However, passing sentence, Judge Simon Hirst said the psychological impact on the victim was far from minimal.

"This was late at night, a lonely person who you decided was ripe for being robbed," the judge added.

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