A cannabis-taking quad bike rider who robbed an elderly council worker during a violent scuffle, causing a "nasty" wrist injury, has been warned "never to go near a spliff again".
Aggressive and unpredictable Myles Blakebrough grabbed a radio from the jacket of the man, who is in his 70s, during a heated confrontation. He earlier hurled abuse at the council worker's female colleague when trouble erupted in a coastal Flamborough tourist area, Hull Crown Court heard.
Blakebrough, 33, formerly of Woodco*ck Road, Flamborough, but recently in custody on remand, admitted robbery on October 28.
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Jennifer Gatland, prosecuting, said that the victim of the robbery was a man in his 70s who, at the time, was working for East Riding of Yorkshire Council. He went to a site at Danes Dyke, Flamborough, with a female colleague at 6.15pm to empty a parking meter and secure the public premises there.
Two men, including Blakebrough, walked towards the woman. Blakebrough was pushing an off-road dirt bike and he seemed, from his mannerisms, to be intoxicated.
Blakebrough hurled abuse at the woman. Her male colleague told him to calm down. "Suddenly, without warning, the defendant moved towards her," said Miss Gatland.
The man was concerned and he put an arm between himself and the woman. Blakebrough took a few steps back towards her van and threatened to damage the window.
The male council worker had a handheld radio and Blakebrough grabbed it from his jacket. The man tried to get it back and there was pushing and shoving. He suffered a nasty injury to his left wrist, where the skin was removed.
Blakebrough drove out of the car park and the man telephoned the police. Blakebrough was arrested the next day after police spotted the off-road bike on the way to a caravan park.
He told them: "You are probably looking for me." During police interview, he denied being present at the scene of the robbery.
He had convictions for 48 previous offences, including 11 for assault and four for theft or similar as well as others for possessing cannabis and public disorder. He had been jailed in 2020 for 15 months for assault.
Michael Forrest, mitigating, said that Blakebrough had suffered problems but he accepted responsibility in some form for what he had done. "He was starting to take illicit substances and knew that a fall was coming," said Mr Forrest.
Blakebrough had finished his employment in the fishing industry a few days before the incident and this meant that "he really was in trouble" because of that.
"He has recognised the fact that illicit drugs do nothing but cause misery," said Mr Forrest. "It leads him down this path. He is utterly mortified that he has caused this man in his 70s so much upset that night."
Blakebrough intended to "rid himself of poor circles" and move out of the area. It was an "awful" injury to the victim's arm.
Blakebrough told the court that he was only there at the woodland and cafe area to try out the bike. "I wasn't causing any trouble at first," he said. "I went there just to do something with my day."
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Judge Mark Bury said that the council workers were going about their lawful business when Blakebrough became abusive and intimidating to the woman. When her older male colleague tried to prevent him from this, Blakebrough took the man's radio from his jacket, even though it not an expensive item and it was not something that he needed.
Blakebrough caused a "nasty wrist injury" when the man tried to take it back. "You were unpredictable and aggressive," said Judge Bury. "Your voluntary intake of cannabis is not helpful. Cannabis exacerbates mental health issues.
"It makes you worse, not better. Taking cannabis is something you need to stop. Resolve never to go near a spliff again."
Blakebrough was jailed for 21 months.
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