Bournemouth robber identified to police by his ex-girlfriend

Kieron Reading stole Ayax Da Silva Arias's bag after a group attacked the victim and forced him to the ground in Old Christchurch Road on May 25.

Dorset Police issued a CCTV appeal after the incident near Richmond Gardens and Reading was identified by his former partner and a town centre ranger, Bournemouth Crown Court was told.

Kieron Reading was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, August 28

Appearing in court on August 28, Reading, aged 21 of Spencer Road, Bournemouth, also faced sentencing for robbing 72-year-old Dennis Thomson of £400 last year after he was linked to the crime through DNA traces he left on the victim's trousers.

Prosecuting Rob Griffiths said victim Mr Thomson had finished his shift as a night porter at a Bournemouth hotel on September 20 and withdrawn the money from the Lloyds Bank cash machine in Southbourne Grove.

READ MORE: Man in his 70s is followed from cashpoint and robbed

Lloyds bank in Southbourne

He then walked along Beresford Road and into Beaufort Road but sensed he was being followed.

After briefly appearing to lose the person following him, he realised the defendant was behind him again in Stamford Road.

Reading charged towards Mr Thomson and rugby tackled him to the ground. The defendant held him down and snatched the money from his trouser pocket, telling him: "I'm having the money".

Kieron Reading committed his first robbery in Stamford Road last year

The victim hit his head on the floor and hurt his right hand and knee.

In the robbery on May 25, Mr Arias was walking along the pedestrianised area near Richmond Gardens in the early hours. He saw a group of around seven young people near an ATM and overheard them swearing and making derogatory comments.

The group surrounded the victim and some of them proceeded to hit him. He fell to the ground and was kicked.

READ MORE: Robbers' 'unprovoked attack' on man in central Bournemouth

The second robbery took place in Old Christchurch Road near Richmond Gardens

Reading snatched a black bag from Mr Arias, which contained a bank card, ID, keys and hairdressing equipment, before making off from the scene. The victim fractured his shoulder in the incident.

Mitigating Robert Grey said at the time of the Stamford Road robbery Reading was homeless while in relation to the more recent offence he said he was fearful of peer pressure from others in the group carrying out the attack.

The defendant, who admitted two counts of robbery, read out letters to both his victims during the hearing.

In his correspondence to Mr Thomson he apologised for what he did, said he "wasn't thinking straight", he does not expect forgiveness and that he wanted the money for him and his girlfriend.

His letter to Mr Arias said: "I was pressured into doing it but I am really sorry. I was scared if I didn't do it I would be beaten up or worse. I hope you can forgive me."

Kieron Reading appeared via video link for the hearing at Bournemouth Crown Corut

In sentencing Reading to four years and eight months in prison, Recorder Richard Mawhinney said the elderly man was "targeted" in the Stamford Road incident, with Reading knowing where the money was.

Addressing the Old Christchurch Road robbery, the judge said: "You are your own agent. You did that [took the bag]. You are responsible for your actions."