Judge tells youth hoods you lose

SeriousAboutNews
Jan. 08, 2006

A JUDGE has banned a would-be mugger from wearing a 'hoodie' for two years.

The Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO), believed to be the first of its kind in Luton, was made after Judge John Bevan QC heard that Terrence Edwards, 19, was wearing his hood up in the middle of July when he intimidated a 67-year-old man in a park and demanded money.

Judge Bevan said: "I am unimpressed about the wearing of a hoodie in July. He must have been uncomfortably hot.

"This is to remind him that they are to be worn by people as a fashion item and not by those who want to commit crime and use them as a disguise."

Edwards, of High Town Road, Luton pleaded guilty at Luton Crown Court to attempted robbery and was given a 12-month supervision order and 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £250 compensation and £200 costs.

Bill McGivern, prosecuting, said the victim was walking through People's Park on July 20 last year at 2pm when Edwards walked alongside him. At first Edwards demanded his mobile phone and then made four 'menacing' demands for his wallet.

Despite feeling intimidated the pensioner refused to hand over anything and flagged down a passing police car.

When Edwards was arrested at first he said it was a joke and then said he had been threatened into doing it by two black men.

Jonathan Green, defending, said: "He is easily led and was trying to impress.

"He accepts it must have been a frightening experience. He has never done anything like this before and has experienced a bad shock from these proceedings."

Judge Bevan told Edwards: "Normally an offence of this kind would be met with a sentence of 18 to 24 months' detention.

"But I am prepared to take an exceptional course. Learn your lesson and never come back."