Violent Leeds street robber jailed for multiple attacks

A robber who carried out a series of violent street attacks has been jailed for six years.

Marius Mihai targeted six victims in Leeds in six weeks, leaving one man with a broken cheekbone before taking his phone and wallet.

The 19-year-old man, of Savile Place, Chapeltown, Leeds, was sentenced at the city’s crown court on Wednesday after admitting six charges of robbery and one count of fraud.

Det Insp Vicky Vessey said Mihai used “appalling levels of violence” which had a “lasting traumatic impact” on his victims.

West Yorkshire Police said Mihai targeted lone male victims at night in the city centre, carrying out six robberies between May 27 and July 8.

On one occasion, Mihai attacked a 53-year-old man in Merrion Street, knocking the victim to the ground and punching him repeatedly before stealing his watch, phone and leather jacket.

Eight days later, a 39-year-old man was left missing teeth after being punched from behind on Fish Street.

Det Insp Vessey said: “Mihai was responsible for a particularly nasty series of crimes in which appalling levels of violence were used to render his victims helpless before taking their valuables.

“While some of the victims sustained serious injuries from punches to the head, his actions could easily have led to much worse consequences.

“We do not underestimate the lasting traumatic impact these events will have on the victims and hope they will find some comfort in knowing that he has been caught and taken off the streets.”

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