Herefordshire | Archive | 2001 | May | 3
From the archive, first published Thursday 3rd May 2001.
A STUDENT was surrounded by a gang of youths in Hereford and threatened his throat would be cut, Worcester Crown Court heard last week.
Drunken Darren Smith told Paul White that he hated Hereford people and demanded a £5 `toll' to pass by in the street.
Smith twice drew a finger across his own throat to indicate slitting before Mr White handed over £1.60 in Widemarsh Street, Hereford, said prosecutor Nicolas Cartwright.
The defendant had previously served custodial sentences totalling seven years for robberies.
He had been released from jail two months before confronting Mr White on August 30 last year.
Smith, aged 25, of Whitecross Road, Hereford, was jailed for five years after pleading guilty to robbery and the theft of alcohol.
Judge Michael Mott warned him that he was making `steady progress' towards a life sentence because of his persistent alcohol-fuelled crimes.
He added: "You subjected this innocent man to a shocking experience. This was due to excessive drinking and your inability to tackle it."
A gang of six surrounded Mr White before Smith played a leading role in taunting him.
He ordered the student to stand against a wall or he would have his legs broken, said Mr Cartwright. Then Smith warned: "I'll do you. I'll slit your throat."
He also told Mr White that if he went to police his throat would be cut.
The victim managed to walk off when a passer-by came out of a restaurant nearby.
Police arrested Smith soon afterwards in High Town. He was holding a bottle of Martini stolen from a store.
Mr White later picked him out on an identity parade.
In 1996 Smith was jailed for four and half years for robbery, assault and attempted grievous bodily harm.
In 1999 he got 30 months for robbing a man of £1 in the street, said Mr Cartwright.
Defence counsel Dele Alakija said Smith denied making a threat to slit the victim's throat.
He was severely affected by alcohol abuse and had become happier in custody than when he was at liberty.
Mr Alakija said that when sober he voiced his intention to have treatment. He needed help to carry that through some time in the future.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008