A couple who beat up and robbed a man who had befriended them in Bedford were jailed for a total of twenty two and a half years last month. Leanne Horsnell, 36, who was described by the judge as an “utterly, callous and heartless individual” was sentenced to 12 years.
Chris Hunt, 39, who at one stage had tried to stop the attack, was jailed for 10 years 6 months.
Prosecutor Richard Sedgwick told Luton Crown Court Horsnell and Hunt, who started a relationship at the beginning of the year, had been living on the streets in Bedford.
In April this year the victim, an older and smaller man, befriended the couple and bought them tobacco and drink. He invited him them to his bedsit home for a meal.
They arrived just before midnight on April 14, and both were drunk.
“Without warning Horsnell became extremely aggressive and punched him to the face and body. She took a meat cleaver from the bed sit and threatening him. They carried out a messy search of his property looking for money,” said Mr Sedgwick.
CCTV showed them leading him around cash points in Bedford in a fruitless attempt to withdraw cash. The victim then offered to give them some money he had stored in a bag at his home with his diabetes medicine.
He went to offer £20 to Hunt, but he snatched the bag and stole all his £500 savings.
Both Horsnell and Hunt struck him. They left, but returned with another man at around 6am. The noise woke neighbours who called the police. The victim has suffered two black eyes, one of which was extremely swollen.
Bruises on his face and an injury to his harm. Most of the violence was dished out by Leanne Horsnell, said the victim. In a victim impact statement he said he felt he was helping with a kind gesture and that was thrown back in his face.
Horsnell and Hunt, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence having been convicted of robbery. Hunt had 43 convictions for 81 offences and Horsnell 29 convictions for 69 offences.
For Hunt, Simren Singh said he had alcohol addiction and suffers with his mental health. He said: “At some point he did attempt to reduce the violence and calm Ms Horsnell down.
“He has no reasoning for the offence. It was just stupidity – fuelled by atmosphere and his intoxication “He said he is deeply sorry for what he did and wishes to apologise to the victim.”
Nasreen Tincey, defending, said she had a history of heroin and crack cocaine abuse. She said in prison she has had time to reflect on her actions and had said she cannot carry on behaving in this manner.
Judge Rebecca Herbert told them: “You were both convicted by jury of an appalling, prolonged and cruel offence of robbery. “The two of you took advantage of a man who was older and smaller than you and had shown you kindness. “You took advantage of that kindness and vulnerability.
“There is no sign at all that either of you had any sympathy or compassion for him.”
She told Horsnell: “You are an utterly callous heartless individual. In drink you are a dangerous woman. You pose a significant risk of causing serious harm to people unfortunate enough to cross your path.”
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