Drug User Jailed for GBH Robbery in County Durham Attack

Darren Wilkinson tried to get drug money. Bank staff stopped him because they worried about a hurt man. The court heard Wilkinson stayed with his victim. He said police wanted him for a court case.

Wilkinson went to the man’s place with a woman. He demanded £60 from the victim and got violent, punching and kicking him. Then, he smashed a phone on the man’s head.

The victim feared for his life, so he tried to run. Wilkinson used the phone wire to choke him. He left after threatening him, and the victim was in pain. The attack lasted ten minutes.

Wilkinson came back demanding £200. He told the victim they’d go to the bank since the victim said Wilkinson took everything already. Wilkinson still booked a taxi to the bank and threatened the man, forcing him in.

At the bank, staff worried because the victim seemed vulnerable. He slumped over, hurt from rib injuries, and a stranger, Wilkinson, was with him. The victim asked to withdraw £300 despite the assistant knowing his funds dropped fast.

Bank staff noticed the stranger answered for him. They tried to engage the customer directly and asked about an ambulance. Wilkinson said he’d handle it at home and that the victim’s niece waited in a taxi. The manager knew he had no niece.

Wilkinson seemed agitated, so he left. The manager saw the customer had a head wound. The victim went to the hospital. He suffered fractured ribs and a collapsed lung and stayed for seventeen days because of those injuries. Police found blood and the broken phone.

Wilkinson was arrested. He didn’t answer questions at first but claimed self-defense. He also spoke badly about the victim. The victim said he wants nothing to do with Wilkinson and wondered how anyone could do that.

Wilkinson, age 41, admitted attempted robbery and causing serious harm. He had thirteen convictions for nineteen crimes and had been in court for a firearm charge previously.

His lawyer said Wilkinson used crack cocaine to cope and regrets taking out his feelings on the victim. He has now been drug-free for ten months and engaged with rehab services in prison.

The judge said Wilkinson has a bad record, especially of violence, adding that the victim had grave injuries. The attack endangered the victim’s mental health. Wilkinson got 64 months in prison. The judge praised the bank staff for aiding the victim.