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Thug who attacked homeless woman is spared jail

A ?bullying? builder who was caught on camera kicking a homeless woman in the head before stealing her only possessions has been given a suspended sentence.

Daniel Preston, 24, admitted assaulting Elin Mitchell, by beating in an alcohol-fuelled attack and then stealing £10. She was in a doorway in Bournemouth town centre when she was attacked last summer.

Her money was later recovered but in a statement she said: ?He kicked me in the head and took my money. It makes me scared to be out on the streets now," said Mitchell, who escaped with minor injuries.

Imposing a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, Recorder Philippa Whipple QC described the offence in Bournemouth Crown Court as ?a really disgraceful act?.

?You picked on a vulnerable single person and not only did you steal from her what little money she had, you kicked her to the side of the head," she said. ?It was bullying, intimidating, foul behaviour. You were so drunk at the time you can?t remember.?

Read the Bournemouth Echo report here.

Full post as published by the 13th juror on February 28, 2011 (boomark / email).