Thieving thug Benjamin Dow king-hit, tried to rob elderly man at Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre
An old man with a walking frame may have seemed like an “easy target” to this thief, but despite being struck in the face at a Cranbourne shopping centre he fought back. And he’s had the last laugh, with the coward attacker hauled before court.
South East
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A coward who king-hit an elderly disabled pensioner and tried to steal his phone and wallet has been jailed.
Benjamin Theodore Dow struck the old man, who used a walking frame to help get about, but fled when his victim fought back.
The pensioner suffered a cut eye and swelling to his face in the Cranbourne shopping centre attack.
Dow, a 24-year-old of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to eight attempted robbery, assault and theft-related charges at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The court heard on June 7 this year the elderly man was at the Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre to collect a pair of glasses when Dow came up to him and asked the time.
While the pensioner was distracted Dow king-hit him in the face and tried to steal his wallet and mobile phone from his basket.
But the brave bloke fought back, scuffling with Dow before the coward fled empty-handed on foot.
Shop workers then aided the elderly victim, who was taken to Frankston Hospital for treatment to injuries to his face.
CCTV identified Dow attacking the man and he was arrested later that day, but he denied it was him, saying he was in jail at the time.
A police check revealed that was not true and he had in fact been released from custody in May.
In late January this year Dow had also gone on a two-week long crime spree.
He was found asleep in a stolen Mazda parked in Cranbourne North and he stole $51 worth of petrol from an Officer servo.
He also nicked more than $500 worth of athletic gear from Rebel Sport in Mentone, stuffing the items in his backpack inside a changing room, and he also tried, but failed to steal a car in Keysborough.
His defence lawyer said Dow had a significant history of drug abuse and mental health issues, with his substance use starting from an early age.
He said he was “triggered” into an “impulsive” attack on the pensioner because at the time he mistakenly thought the man was a sexual predator.
He said upon release Dow hoped to go back to Tasmania where he has family support.
Magistrate Suzette Dootjes said the attempted robbery was a serious crime on a defenceless man.
“He was a very vulnerable victim, (Dow) selected an easy target,” Ms Dootjes said.
“Although he (Dow) needs assistance and support for his issues, and a corrections order would provide that support, a further term (of imprisonment) is warranted for offending of this nature.”
Dow was jailed for nine months, minus 102 days he had already served on remand.
He was also ordered to do a 12-month community corrections order upon release and disqualified from driving for six months.
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