Robber jailed after headbutting student at Sunderland city centre cash machine and taking £10

A robber who lurked behind a student at a cash point before headbutting him and taking his money has been jailed.
David De CostaDavid De Costa
David De Costa

David De Costa was inside a takeaway shop in Sunderland last year when he spotted the undergraduate waiting for cash to be withdrawn from the machine nearby.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that De Costa aggressively told him to move away but he bravely tried to stand his ground and an altercation broke out.

The victim was headbutted and pushed during the stand-off.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Annie Richardson, prosecuting, said: "The complainant is a second year student at the University of Sunderland and was in the university library on August 21, last year until about 9pm.

"He then went to the city centre for a meal.

"The restaurant didn't take card payment and he went to a cashpoint to select £10 to withdraw.

"The defendant was on CCTV waiting for a takeaway order.

"The defendant was clearly drunk and went outside and stood behind the complainant.

"As the money was about to be dispensed the defendant pushed him out of the way.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The victim tried to stick up for himself, however, the defendant refused to move and they were face-to-face holding each other."

The court heard how De Costa, now 33, headbutted and pushed the victim into a barrier then walked back into the takeaway to collect his order.

Miss Richardson added: "The complainant waited outside in the vicinity for the police to arrive as he had called them.

"The defendant then tried to shake his hand and when he refused he ran at him again before the police arrived.

"The defendant was arrested with ten pounds in his pocket."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

De Costa, of Baker Street in Sunderland, has previous convictions for violence and pleaded guilty to robbery before being jailed for 40 months by Recorder Ian Mullarkey.

The judge told him: "Much of your offending appears to be alcohol related.

"That is clearly a problem which you need to address.

"You've not committed an offence of this type, you've not reoffended since and have expressed remorse for having committing this offence.

"This clearly crosses the custody threshold."

Vic Laffey, mitigating, said: "This incident took place in August last year which is effectively 15 months ago and there haven't been any other issues since that time.

"He believed that his drink that his drink may have been spiked but he accepts without any hesitation he is the person involved in committing this offence."

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.