Hooded robber knocked security guard unconscious in a York car park

A 25-year-old York man who attacked and robbed a security worker says prison will give him the opportunity to sort himself out and tackle his addictions.

Oliver Duke Wharton waited by Union Terrace car park until the security man had collected the takings in his cashbox on 24 April.

In broad daylight, and wearing his hoodie up, Wharton chose his moment – when the security man’s back was turned as he put the cashbox in his van. He hit the man in his back before running off with the box which contained £127 in change.

Prosecutor Matthew Collins told the court that the cashbox fell to the ground as the security man, who was in a helmet and visor,  blacked out for a few seconds after being hit.

The man said he was “shocked and had a sore back for a few days” but was otherwise fine.

A member of the public saw Wharton running off with the box and alerted police. Officers were able to identify Wharton from CCTV footage.

The court heard that Wharton has 38 previous convictions, including actual bodily harm after an incident where he attacked a pensioner, who was out Christmas shopping in Davygate, resulting in the man losing consciousness and suffering bleeding on his brain.

‘A relief to be arrested’

Defending the 25 year old, Andrew Semple said Wharton was a heroin addict who had experienced a chaotic upbringing.

His mum had also been addicted to heroin and as a boy Wharton was looked after by various members of the family who were involved in crime.

Wharton told his solicitor it was “a relief to be arrested and put in prison”. He had had a lot of time to think in his cell leading up to the court date and he’d started a methadone programme.

He planned to apply to be moved to a prison wing designated to help inmates overcome their addictions.

Wharton, from the Clifton area of York, pleaded guilty to the robbery. Judge Simon Hickey told him: “You saw a public official going about his duties on a sunny afternoon.

“He was clearly collecting money on behalf of York City Council. Furthermore this was a regular collection at a certain time everyday. This wasn’t opportunistic, you can be clearly seen lurking in black, hood up.”

Jailing Wharton for two years, Judge Hickey ruled against the collection of the £127 from Wharton to return to the council, as Wharton has no means to pay the stolen money back.