ROBBER JAILED AFTER TARGETING A DISABLED MAN IN HIS OWN HOME
A violent intruder who robbed a disabled man in his own home has been jailed.George McGinley, 43, forced his way into the property of a vulnerable man on Victoria Road, Gateshead, in June last year.
The victim, expecting a friend at around 8.30am, opened his door only to be met by McGinley, of Braeside, Dunston, and another man wearing a face covering.
Both men pushed past him into the bungalow.
Inside, McGinley went straight to the living room and ripped a gold chain from the victim’s neck.
Meanwhile, his accomplice held the man against the wall and his mobility scooter.
The pair stole the chain worth £1,800 along with the victim’s wallet and £800 in cash.
Ring doorbell footage later captured the men entering the property.
In a statement read to Newcastle Crown Court, the victim said he had since been receiving help from a trauma counsellor and felt increasingly isolated after the attack.
McGinley denied involvement but was convicted at trial of robbery in a dwelling.
Defence barrister Tony Davis told the court that while on remand, McGinley had been assaulted multiple times in prison, the most recent attack leading to the amputation of a finger.
He added that McGinley had long struggled with drug addiction.
Sentencing him, Judge Sarah Mallet said: "You have numerous previous convictions for 106 previous offences, in particular you have two for robberies committed in very similar circumstances.
Though spread out in time and not recently.
"You and another, who had his face covered, went to the home of an elderly disabled man who lived alone.
You gained entry and pushed past him into his bungalow, you stole a gold chain from around his neck which was a treasured gift from his mother.
"You went into his home to take anything you wanted.
You found £800 in cash he had for a holiday he was about to go on, you went through his belongings and stole a camera and bank cards." Judge Mallet sentenced McGinley to eight years in prison, plus an additional four years on extended licence.
