Nottingham: Robbers attacked milkman and crashed float into wall

Two robbers who launched an "unprovoked" assault on a milkman before stealing his float and crashing into a wall have been sentenced.

Rico Siddell and Luke Solomon targeted the victim while he was on his rounds in Basford, Nottingham, in March 2022.

The milkman was punched repeatedly to the head by both offenders and briefly lost consciousness, police said.

The pair were sentenced to two years in a young offenders institution, suspended for 21 months.

Nottinghamshire Police said on 17 March 2022, the milkman was reversing the Volkswagen flatbed van in Vernon Park Drive at 03:45 BST when Solomon approached, picked up a bottle of milk from the vehicle and threw it through the driver's side window.

The victim drove away but was pursued by Solomon on a bicycle and eventually, the van had to stop at traffic lights.

The milkman tried to call police but the phone was grabbed from his hand by Solomon, who also took the keys from the ignition.

After the victim got out of the van, he was punched in the face by Solomon and then attacked from behind by Siddell, the force added.

'Frightening experience'

The milkman needed stitches to his head and suffered further injuries to his leg and back.

Officers found the vehicle embedded in a wall in Tewkesbury Drive 20 minutes later with smoke coming from the bonnet and a pool of milk all over the street.

Siddell, 20, of Wide Bargate, Boston, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to robbery while Solomon, 19, of Lace Street, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and assault of an emergency worker.

They were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday.

Both were also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, as well as 20 rehabilitation activity requirements days.

Det Con Ben Hensell said: "This was an unprovoked, prolonged and violent attack on a victim who was simply trying to earn a living.

"It must have been a frightening experience for him and he required hospital treatment for some nasty injuries."