Man jailed for robbery in Bournemouth

Billy Barclay, 29 of Victoria Avenue, Camberley in Surrey, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 12 January 2018, after pleading guilty to robbery at a previous hearing.

The offence happened some time between 3am and 4am on 9 July 2017 as Barclay’s victim walked along Exeter Park Road.

He was approached by Barclay and another man who asked for a cigarette. The victim told the men he didn’t have any and continued walking.

The victim then felt a thud to the back of his neck and saw Barclay with a broken bottle in his hand. Barclay held the broken bottle to the victim’s face and demanded money. The victim did not have any money and was told to hand over his bank card and go to the cashpoint.

The victim said he didn’t have it and was patted down by the second man. Barclay then grabbed headphones from the victim’s neck and stole his mobile phone.

Immediately after the incident a group of around 10 people walked past and Barclay and the second man pretended they were friends with the victim, before hugging him and handing back the stolen items.

The victim, a Thai man aged in his 20s and visiting Bournemouth, sustained pain to his neck but following an x-ray no injuries were found.

The headphones were submitted for forensic examination and a full DNA sample was obtained from a blood swab which matched Barclay. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

The second man was not identified.

Detective constable Sara Watts, of Bournemouth CID, said, “Billy Barclay targeted his lone victim and subjected him to a frightening ordeal.

“I hope the sentence handed out by the court today will remind offenders that violence such as this will not be tolerated in our communities.”