Burglar Used Golf Club To Attack Man With No Legs Before Offering To Leave Fingerprints At Scene
A burglar violently attacked a disabled man who had no legs with a golf club in his flat in Blackpool, demanding money. In a "bizarre" turn of events, the robber offered to leave his fingerprints on a plate to ensure he was caught for his crime.
A violent burglar walked into the flat of a defenceless disabled man and robbed him above the Scruffy Murphy's pub in Blackpool, before offering him a hug in a "bizarre" turn of events.
37-year-old Shaun Wrigley struck the victim multiple times with a golf club, before reaching into his wheelchair and stealing his wallet. The victim had no legs and was completely unable to defend himself. Preston Crown Court heard how Wrigley then apologised to the victim and offered to leave his fingerprints on a plate to ensure police would catch him.
Judge Graham Knowles QC sentenced Wrigley to 11 years in prison for the burglary and an assault on a woman in a safe house in Liverpool.
Rachel Woods, prosecuting, told Preston Crown Court how on March 23, this year, Wrigley's victim was sitting watching TV with his partner in their flat when Wrigley walked into their living room. He demanded money while holding a golf club above his head. The disabled man was sat on the sofa, unable to move, when Wrigley started hitting him with the club. The victim attempted to cover his face to protect himself and suffered a bad cut to his left hand. The victim told Wrigley repeatedly that he did not have any money.
Wrigley said: "I just need £200. I know I'm going back to prison."
Wrigley then apologised to the man and offered him his hand, saying: "I'm very sorry. I didn't realise you were disabled."
Wrigley then leaned forward in an attempt to hug his victim, but reached into his wheelchair, which was next to the sofa, and took his wallet.
The disabled man then protested and Wrigley told him he had not touched his wallet and offered up his bag to be searched. The wallet was not in the bag, but the victim and his partner saw two bank cards that did not belong to Wrigley, Ms Woods added.
The victim's partner told the court how Wrigley's behaviour was "bizarre", she said after the robbery, Wrigley had offered to put his fingerprints on a plate to ensure that he was caught.
After she called the police, they checked the CCTV and found Wrigley at another property a few days later.
When he was arrested, Wrigley gave a false name and address to police but he was quickly caught out when his prints matched the plate from the flat.
The victim said in a statement: "I am disabled. I have no legs. I could not defend myself from the attack. It is despicable what he did to me."
Ms Woods also told the court how Wrigley had attacked a woman who had been placed in a safe house due to previous violence from him, due to an error from social services Wrigley was somehow given her address. When he attacked the woman, he punched her, strangled her, and bit her, leaving her "black and blue".
Judge Knowles sentenced Wrigley, of Bridge Street, Liverpool, to 8 years for the robbery in Blackpool and a further three years for the attack on the woman in the safe house.
Detective Sergeant Stuart Reid, of Blackpool Targeted Crime Team, said: "This was a particularly nasty crime, where a vulnerable victim has been left with injuries to his hand. The victims showed impeccable resilience in the face of such aggression towards them in their home. The officers who attended this incident supported the victims in the best way, by quickly locating and arresting Wrigley. Their professional response on the night and swift actions has taken Wrigley off our streets. Our community is without doubt that little bit safer as a result."
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