Overview
- Daniel James Bell, 32, of no fixed address, was sentenced at York Crown Court on January 20 and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.
- He pleaded guilty to robbing an 84-year-old outside Marks & Spencer on The Pavement on July 21, 2025, as well as multiple shop thefts, breaching a suspended sentence, and obstructing or resisting a constable.
- CCTV captured the robbery and a PCSO who knew Bell identified him, leading officers to locate and arrest him the next day while he was still wearing the same clothes.
- The victim suffered head and shoulder injuries, reported losing the ability to drive, and said the attack curtailed her independence and forced her to cancel a planned holiday.
- Bell had received a suspended five-month sentence with drug rehabilitation in March 2025, which he breached with further offending in York and Harrogate.