Reading victim mugged and kicked into river: Man jailed for 4 years

The incident occurred in the early hours of July 6 last year when a group of men befriended the victim, Benjamin Woods, at St Mary’s Church in the town centre. 

Adam Waite, among others, stole the victim’s phone, bankcard and cash before ‘kicking’ him into the river at Berkeley Avenue.

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Mr Woods suffered from head injuries and was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital.

Waite, 24, of Highlands Park, Wargrave, was sentenced to four years and one month in jail at Reading Crown Court on Thursday (May 11) for his involvement in the case.

Prosecuting, Henry Garside said: “One of the group said, ‘Let’s just rob him and take what he’s got’. That person struck the complainant and the group joined in with hitting him.

“His phone, bank card and £10 cash were stolen. A member of the group said, ‘Throw him into the river’ and the group collectively kicked him into the river where he fell head first.

“A witness nearby heard the group laughing. Mr Woods swallowed a large amount of water but eventually got out and was taken to hospital.”

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Mr Garside to say the group were later seen in a supermarket where Waite attempted to use the stolen bankcard to buy goods but the transaction failed due an incorrect pin number.

A victim impact statement written by Mr Woods heard how he has been ‘significantly impacted’ by the incident and felt ‘very scared and helpless’ at the time. He has been left ‘emotionally drained’.

The court heard that Waite has 16 convictions for 29 previous offences including burglary, theft and common assault.

At the time of the incident he was on police bail for another offence.

Defending Waite, Jessica Goldwin said he has expressed remorse about the incident and said he was addicted to drugs and alcohol at the time but ‘doesn’t use that as an excuse’.

“He doesn’t accept being the person that initiated the robbery,” she said. “He admits taking the phone and making some blows with other members of the group.”

Judge Kirsty Real sentenced Waite to 49 months in jail.

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She said: “You have quite a bad criminal record already, this is the most serious offence on your record so far.

“I recognise you’ve had an extremely difficult upbringing. You pose a risk going forward if you don’t address the issues so you need to be robustly managed in prison and upon release.”