Robber 'deliberately targeted' vulnerable victim in Nottingham city centre McDonald's

A Nottingham father-of-five deliberately targeted an older and vulnerable man in a city centre McDonald's to rob him of his bag. CCTV played at Nottingham Crown Court showed the man, who has Asperger's Syndrome, anxiety and depression, grappling with Michael Walsh who seconds before had barged into, pushed him to one side and grabbed his belongings.

On the clip, diners and customers can be seen to do nothing to help the victim. But an off-duty security guard in there gave chase and forced the 48-year-old robber to drop the bag and flee.

And while on bail for that offence, the defendant, of Radford, burgled a city centre flat belonging to a man who rents it out through Airbnb. Jailing him for three years and five months, Recorder Brian Whitehead said: “The robbery victim was said to be an older and vulnerable man and having viewed the CCTV footage that would have been immediately obvious to anyone including you.

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“He tried to fight you off but you were too strong for him and fortunately an off-duty security guard gave chase and forced you to drop the bag.” Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said the robbery took place in the Milton Street branch of McDonald's at around 1.30pm on February 23, this year.

She said the victim was approached by Walsh, of Norton Street, who falsely told him he was a member of staff. The prosecutor said the man did not believe him and went to collect his food before taking the tray to a table and attempting to sit down.

Miss Rose said: “Mr Walsh then barged him from behind and the victim shouted ‘I am being robbed’. He then grabbed hold of Mr Walsh’s waist who had grabbed his bag and they fought in the restaurant for a short while but he said the defendant was too strong for him. The prosecution submit that he deliberately targeted the victim due to his disability.”

The prosecutor said Walsh was recognised from the CCTV, questioned and bailed before committing the burglary in North Circus Street on August 9. She said the owner rented it out through Airbnb and went to the flat and found it had been burgled.

Miss Rose said: “There was footage from a Ring Doorbell which showed the defendant.”

Walsh, who appeared for this week’s hearing over a video-link from HMP Lincoln, pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary. He has 27 convictions for 57 offences including robbery and “numerous” burglaries, Miss Rose said.

Lauren Fisher, mitigating, said her client has five children and is “motivated” to sort his life out when he is released from this sentence. She said: “This is a sad set of circumstances.

“A man in his mid-to-late 40s who has been heavily addicted to class A drugs for the majority of his life and who knows it is immediate custody.

“He had a difficult childhood, especially between the ages of 11 and 14 when he started using illicit substances which he has used as a crutch and that has spiralled throughout his life.”