Violent street robber jailed over spate of attacks

Marius Mihai, 19, carried out a spate of street robberies in Leeds

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

Marius Mihai targeted six victims in Leeds in the space of six weeks, leaving one man with a fractured cheek bone before taking his phone and wallet.

The 19-year-old, of Savile Place, Chapeltown, Leeds, was sentenced on Wednesday at the city's crown court after he pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery and one charge of fraud.

Det Insp Vicky Vessey said Mihai had used an "appalling level of violence" which had a "lasting traumatic impact" on his victims.

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

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

Eight days later a 39-year-old man was left with missing teeth after he was punched to the ground from behind in Fish Street.

Det Insp Vessey said: “Mihai was responsible for a particularly nasty series of offences where an appalling level of violence was used to render his victims helpless before he stripped them of their valuables.

"While some of the victims received serious injuries from being punched about the head, his actions could easily have had far worse consequences.

"We do not underestimate the lasting traumatic impact these incidents will have had on the victims, and we hope they can take some comfort from knowing that he has been caught and taken off the streets."

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