Robber knocked out man's teeth in unprovoked street attack

Zachariah Paul Attley was described as having “arms like anvils” when he lashed out his victim, who had his front two teeth knocked out from the blow.

After felling the man to the ground, Attley grabbed his wallet and ran off from the scene, however, he was detained a short time later in the early hours.

Bournemouth Crown Court was told the victim had to undergo £5,000 worth of dental treatment because of the attack.

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Attley, 31 and of Batchelor Crescent, West Howe, was jailed for four years at a hearing on Tuesday, October 25, having pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery at an earlier hearing.

Zachariah Paul Attley (Image: Dorset Police)

Prosecuting, Thomas Ackworth said the two men met in a bar in the Charminster area of Bournemouth on the evening of New Year’s Day.

“The two got on at first and in fact the man bought a number of drinks for Mr Attley,” Mr Ackworth said.

The court heard all was going well until the two men went to Golden Supermarket in Charminster Road.

After the victim had gone in and bought some items and left the shop, he said goodbye to Attley and that he would see him again.

The robbery took place near Golden Supermarket in Charminster Road. Picture: Google Maps/ Street View (Image: Google Maps/ Street View)

“Out of the blue Mr Attley then punched him in the face very hard,” Mr Ackworth said.

“The victim described his arms as being like anvils.”

The prosecutor added: “The force of the punch was sufficient to fell the man to the ground.”

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The court heard the defendant was located a short time later, but he did not comply with police officers. He was subsequently arrested and £25 was recovered from him.

Attley, who pleaded guilty to robbery, had 23 convictions for 51 offences, with his latest crime committed while he was out on licence for a previous prison sentence.

Bournemouth Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mitigating, Rob Griffiths said he could not dispute that the case involved serious harm.

“He cannot tell me why he did it,” Mr Griffiths said. “He got drunk and behaved in a completely appalling way.”

Mr Griffiths said the defendant had been working as a barber while remanded in Winchester Prison.

“He remembers drinks, remembers punching the man but doesn’t remember any more than that,” he added.

Sentencing judge Recorder Malcolm Gibney said: “Conditions in Winchester prison are rough but not as rough as the victim was feeling after this rather brazen and gratuitous assault upon him.”

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