10 November 2023 , 15:48
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A man dubbed 'Britain's cruellest criminal' has been jailed after he robbed an elderly disabled man of £1,100.
Andrew Merritt asked the 88-year-old if he could spare a couple of pounds - and the pensioner, who was on a mobility scooter, took out his wallet and gave him £3.10.
CCTV footage then showed Merritt hugging the man, before grabbing the wallet and walking away.
Despite the victim's pleas for him to return it, Merritt grinned to himself as he counted the large wad of £20 banknotes, before taking the money and dumping the wallet.
Sickening CCTV footage showed the moment the 88-year-old man was robbed on his mobility scooter (Nottinghamshire Police / SWNS)
Merritt, who has 118 previous convictions, has been jailed for four years (Nottinghamshire Police / SWNS)Nottingham Crown Court heard £1,100 was stolen in the incident in Worksop, on August 1. Witnesses rushed the elderly man’s aid, before calling the police. Merritt was arrested six days later following a police investigation, after an officer recognised him from CCTV footage. Video from a security camera showed him stood in the doorway of a house, where he changed his T-shirt in an attempt to evade detection.
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Merritt denied stealing the money during a police interview, and insisted the old man had agreed to purchase a bike from him. But his account of the events was rejected, and the 34-year-old, of Cheapside, Worksop, was charged with robbery. He initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty on October 6.
Andrew Merritt walked away laughing after robbing the elderly man on a mobility scooter (Nottinghamshire Police / SWNS)He appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, and was jailed for four years. He was also banned from Worksop town centre for four years under was also given a Criminal Behaviour Order, and ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.
The court heard he has previous convictions relating to 118 offences, including theft, shoplifting, assault, breaching court orders and burglaries. Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Nick Hall, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Merritt’s actions were cowardly in the extreme. He preyed on a vulnerable man knowing he would not be able to stop him making off with his money. When he asked for £2, the elderly victim gave him that and more, out of the goodness of his heart.
Andrew Merritt changed his T-shirt in an attempt to evade capture by the police (Nottinghamshire Police / SWNS)"It was a kind act of generosity and so it was staggering that Merritt repaid the gentleman’s empathy by robbing him of such a vast amount of money. It was an extremely cruel crime and I am pleased Merritt has been made to pay for his appalling actions. I hope the outcome at court provides the victim with some comfort in knowing that Merritt can no longer harm anybody in our communities. I’d also like to thank the witnesses who came forward with information so that we could put Merritt behind bars."