Halifax car-jacking victim attacked by teenage Romanian “beggars” after he gave them £5 note

Bradford Crown Court heard that the complainant had parked his Volkswagen Passat in George Square, Halifax, on the morning of July 15 and initially declined to give the trio any money as he went into a cafe.

But Judge Jonathan Rose said the man had shown the teenagers a generosity that he suspected many would not have shown when he later handed them a £5 note on his way out.

“He did not just walk away from you,” the judge told 18-year-old Florin Copcec and his 16-year-old accomplice.

“But he recognised you were in need and gave you what was a very generous donation.

“You should have thanked him. Instead you and another man, cowards that you are, robbed him.

“That was your way of repaying his generosity. Three of you ganging up on one man.”

The complainant was grabbed from behind by the third teenager, whose whereabouts are unknown, and Judge Rose said the man was understandably frightened that they might have a weapon and feared that he would be stabbed.

“When he tried to hold onto his car keys, as he was entitled to do, he was scared that you (the 16-year-old boy) would bite him,” said the judge.

“It was not for lack of bravery that he gave up his car keys to you. It was a sensible decision because he was badly out-numbered.

“Offences like this demand prison sentences. Members of the public are entitled to go about their business without being accosted and robbed by men like you.”

Copcec, who was banned from driving, drove away with the other two teenagers in the Volkswagen, but a few hours later the stolen car was boxed in by police officers in Leeds.

Copcec, of Cavendish Road, Birmingham, was today jailed for 28 months after he admitted robbery and driving while disqualified.

The 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was sentenced to a two-year youth rehabilitation order after he admitted his part in the robbery.

Judge Rose said many would think the boy should be sent straight to custody, but the defendant was fortunate that he was not one of them.

“You are a very young and very immature young and a very foolish young man,” said Judge Rose.

“You have gained nothing at all by hanging around with your accused except a ride in a stolen car.

“I do not believe you have been exploited. You have not been trafficked. You are not a victim. You are a stupid boy for going along with the big boys.”

As part of the boy’s sentence the judge imposed a six-month electronically-monitored night time curfew.

In a victim impact statement the complainant said he now felt anxious and was constantly looking over his shoulder.

He said he had lived in Halifax his whole life and always felt safe and secure, but he no longer felt safe in the town centre.