Well-known local criminal and heroin addict, Emma Stafford, has been jailed for 32 months after attacking an elderly and frail holidaymaker during a robbery attempt in Sandown.
On 17th November last year, the victim – aged in his 70s – had walked to Sainsbury’s Local on Sandown High Street to buy some candles, having suffered a power outage at his holiday accommodation.
After withdrawing money from a cashpoint, he was approached by 41-year-old Emma Louise Stafford who struck up a conversation with the man, before he entered the shop.
Once he had left the shop, Stafford again started speaking with him outside and accompanied him to a nearby Co-op. The man left the Co-op alone and walked off down the High Street before noticing that Stafford was following him as he approached the seafront near Culver Parade.
Stafford, who has previously been convicted of more than 90 offences, caught up with him and tried to coerce the victim into going off with her, which he refused, before she dragged him to the floor and hit him on the head repeatedly and kicked him whilst demanding money.
A member of the public ran to intervene, and in attempts to placate her, gave Stafford a £10 note in order to get her away from the victim and leave the area.
Police located Stafford around half a mile away from the scene and arrested her. On searching her, officers located a quantity of cannabis. She was subsequently charged with attempted robbery and possession of a Class B drug.
Appearing at Newport Crown Court on 10th January this year, Stafford, of Medeway in Lake, admitted the 2 offences. She appeared at the same court yesterday (Thursday) where she was jailed for 32 months.
In an impact statement, the victim described how he didn’t have the strength to fight Stafford off so had to call for help, and was relieved when members of the public intervened. He said:
“I don’t know what would have happened if they hadn’t have helped me.”
Sentencing Stafford, His Honour Judge Melville QC said:
“It is beyond the logic of any reasonable person why you did this. You made yourself attached to [the victim], an entirely innocent human being, pushed him to the ground, hit him several times and kicked him to the head.
“Eventually the police were called. You denied the offence at the police station, undermining any idea that you were feeling remorseful although you have written a letter now, which I take into account.
“This was a vulnerable human being, significantly older than you and I don’t doubt you considered him to be a soft target. You’ve had a poor start in life and experienced difficulties – none of that justified your attack on an entirely innocent human being in this case.”
DC Ross Jones, who investigated the case, said:
“This was a savage and brazen attack on a small and vulnerable elderly man.
“Stafford’s monstrous behaviour was like something from a horror film, and I am glad she is behind bars.
“The bravery of this man in supporting the investigation should be commended, and I also want to thank the members of the public who came to this man’s aid and did what they could to remove Stafford from the scene.”
Good now stop all her benefits
Yes absolutely and take back her council accomodations and give it to a decent person
Why such a pathetic sentence for such and all her past, should be locked away for life. Half sentence or less,so her next victim in about a year,judge should be then held responsible.
Broadmoor. She is not going to change.
Hope the poor gentleman is OK,.
Such a low life ,seriously needs a longer sentence.
Well done to all that helped this chap.
God only knows what the outcome could have been without them .
Big thank you to all involved with this heinous crime .
32 months will not be long enough to cure her of her addictions, she needs either a longer sentence to protect the rest of us, or some serious help to help her but I fear it may be too late – or is it?
A poor start in life is no excuse and I’m sick of hearing it off judges and these vile people , plenty of people have but they still know right from wrong, they do it because they know they’ll get away with it in this country ! Poor man here on holiday don’t suppose he’ll be returning anytime soon.
Waste of space and the solicitor saying she’s remorseful should go down for 10 years minimum.
Too late to change her. I have no doubt that over the course of her 90 offences help/support has been offered but evidence suggests her antisocial and criminal behaviour has continued unabated. This is who she is. There are some people in society who just can’t be helped therefore society needs to protect itself from them.
A pathetic sentence for a pathetic individual who has been given numerous chances. She will soon be back out carrying on where she left off.
Oh what a surprise I’ve been censored by island echo again. Thankyou for upholding free speech, NOT!
No such thing as free speech on this site. They are too politically correct to allow that.
Join the club fella, it all depends on whose on duty when filtering the comments section. ( I wish I could know in advance, so as weather to bother or not ).
Great news site though.
dirty ugly lowlife……well that is what happens with being a smackhead .. you will do anything for a hit…she will be getting just as much heroin in jail, so unless she changes things herself she will most likely be dead soon, as her body will give up from the abuse.
This skanky smack head has ruined so many lives including my own years back. She doesn’t care about anyone or anything other than drugs. I really feel for the poor bloke who was viciously assaulted so she could get her next hit. In response to the comment of her dieing in prison I genuinely hope she does! Lost a good friend to cancer today he battled addictio and won and even when in addiction he never behaved like this why should he be dead and this monstrosity still exists
90 offences and still free, judges should be prosecuted to
Nutter, known her for 25 years, lots of issues but no reason to put it on others. 18 months too short
I bet she knows all the ‘right’ words and phrases.
wow what a looker lol
Another one for the noose