Mugger Spared Jail after Clutching a Rosary

… and telling judge he had ‘found God.’ The Daily Mail reports:

A teenage mugger has been spared a possible seven-year-jail term after telling a crown court judge he found God in prison.

John Murray, 19, tried to mug two students of their mobile phones and wallets after a night drinking and taking drugs.

Coventry Crown Court heard Murray hit one of the students so hard in the face he was knocked off his feet.

Murray had downed two bottles of vodka and smoked £50 worth of cannabis before he and a group of friends ambushed the students outside Coventry University’s Student Union Bar.

Rhydian James, prosecuting, said: ‘The defendant told the first student to give him his phone.

‘The student put his phone in his pocket but the defendant became aggressive.

‘He asked again and that scared the student who walked away.

‘The defendant then approached the second student and said ‘give me your wallet and your mobile phone.’

‘He then clenched his right fist and punched the second student in the face.

‘He punched him so hard he was knocked off his feet.’

A PCSO witnessed the attack and radioed for back-up who rushed to the scene and arrested Murray.

The court heard Murray told officers he could not remember the assault because he was drunk and high on drugs at the time.

And despite the crime having a maximum seven year sentence, Murray walked free after the judge heard how he had ‘found God’ while on remand.

Recorder Edward Hess heard Murray had visited the chaplain in Glen Parva Young Offenders Institution in Leicestershire every day since the attack in November last year.

Murray, who admitted assault with intent to rob, clutched a rosary during the 20-minute hearing last Friday.

He was given a two year community order and ordered to be electronically tagged for three months. Recorder Hess also ordered to attend a thinking skills course.

Shabeen Ahktar, defending, told the court: ‘This is something that was completely out of character.

‘Having spoken to him it is clear that this is a young man who is genuinely remorseful. He broke down in tears when he was reminded of how his victim suffered.’

Murray, from Exhall, Coventry, refused to comment outside court.

Well, I really do hope he uses he second chance well…  and is genuine in his repentance.

 

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