Drunk Northampton mugger who used victim's bank card to buy £9.98 worth of McDonald's spared jail

A Northampton robber who drunkenly beat up a man in town centre before using his bank card to buy McDonald's for himself has been spared jail.

Kevin Stuart, 23, of Great Gull Crescent, and his older brother Ben Stuart attacked their victim on Bridge Street in a senseless early morning attack on a night out in December 2017.

Northampton Crown Court heard yesterday (July 6) how the brothers accosted the man as he left his friends at a nightclub and asked him for a cigarette.

"When he said he said didn't have one, one of you two pushed him and told him you would kill him," said Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane in sentencing.

"He tried to run away but one of you pushed him to the ground... The two of you delivered kicks and punches and one of you stepped on his hand."

The two brothers mugged the man of his wallet, after which the man escaped and ran away.

Then, to celebrate the senseless robbery, the two Stuarts headed to the nearby McDonald's on the Drapery and bought themselves £9.98 worth of fast food using their victim's stolen bank card.

However, the purchase also meant police could trace the moment the card was used and tracked the brothers using CCTV from inside the restaurant.

Kevin Stuart later claimed he was never at the scene and "would have been at home". However, he later pleaded guilty to the offence and claimed he was so drunk at the time he has trouble recalling the attack.

At court, Judge Crane said: "You were 19 at the time of the offence. You say you have little recollection of this event but there is genuine remorse.

"Don't come asking for a second chance - that's what you're getting today."

Kevin Stuart was handed a 21-month prison sentence that was suspended for 18 months.

Ben Stuart, 27, was jailed for 21 months the attack earlier this year.