Man who violently attacked two victims in Boston town centre jailed

Mitko Hristov, 22, was jailed for seven years and one month for robbery, assault and theft

A man who carried out two violent street attacks in a Lincolnshire town on consecutive nights has been jailed.

Mitko Hristov, 22, left a man, 71, with several injuries after stealing his wallet and bank card in Boston on 30 March last year.

Lincoln Crown Court heard that Hristov had also assaulted a Latvian shop worker, 44, the previous evening.

Hristov, of Pump Square, Boston, was jailed for seven years and one month after admitting the charges.

The court heard Hristov had approached the 71-year-old man from behind as he walked through Wickes car park after a night out.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said the victim, who had won £40 from a gambling machine that evening, suffered multiple broken ribs and a lacerated liver in the attack after he refused to hand over the money.

He was repeatedly kicked by Hristov who fled with the man's wallet, bank card and bus pass, the court was told.

Police later found the victim's bank card at an address linked to Hristov.

In an impact statement, the victim described how he has used a taxi to travel at night ever since the attack and described his injuries "as a pain".

'Knocked unconscious'

The court also heard Hristov had assaulted another man in the town centre on 29 March last year.

CCTV showed the defendant walking along West Street with the Latvian man shortly before midnight.

Mr Howes said the two men were talking about where to get cigarettes when the complainant said something that Hristov apparently disliked.

As a result, Hristov punched the man in the face so he fell to the ground, the court heard.

"It is not clear if he was knocked unconscious by the punch or by hitting his head on the floor," Mr Howes said.

"[The victim] is senseless for... 45 seconds and begins to get up after about a minute.

"It was while he lay on the ground senseless that the defendant lent over and removed his mobile phone," the prosecutor added.

The court was told the victim suffered a fractured face bone in the attack.

Hristov, who listened to the hearing via a Bulgarian interpreter, pleaded guilty to robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and theft.

He also admitted stealing a security camera, criminal damage to a fence and stealing from a van in September last year.

Passing sentence Judge James House KC said it would take considerable force to lacerate the liver of a 71-year-old man.

"Those kicks caused multiple injuries to four ribs," the judge added.