Wednesbury pub punch thief is locked up for 32-month term
A man who punched a fellow pub-goer in an unprovoked attack and then stole the contents of his wallet has been jailed for 32 months.
Ian Stirling punched the victim in the Turks Head pub in Lower High Street, Wednesbury.
Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that 33-year-old Stirling was recognised for the May 2 attack after police officers viewed CCTV.
Judge Mark Eades described the punch to the claimant's face as 'vicious' and 'out of the blue'.
Mr Benjamin Nicholls, defending Stirling, claimed the victim must have said something to the attacker for him to lose his temper. The court heard that Stirling had 16 previous offences on his criminal record.
Mr Richard Davenport, prosecuting, read out a victim statement where the victim said he was nervous about venturing out, and was fearful of the same thing happening again.
Stirling, of Anson Road, Hill Top, West Bromwich, admitted robbery and also possession of two wraps of cannabis.
