TWO Newport men were locked up after robbing a deaf, partially sighted man of his disability benefit in what a judge called "a vicious, nasty attack."

George Heard, 59, who is also unable to speak, was punched to the ground during the attack, in broad daylight in Pill, on April 2.

Twenty-year-old Billy Hiscox and Paul Maloney, 22, whom the court was told were latterly living in Bristol, will each serve three years.

Mr Heard's mother Lillian believes justice has been done for an attack that left her son "terrified."

"They have been locked up and they deserve it, for robbing a defenceless disabled person," said Mrs Heard, 74.

"George is still nervous and afraid to go out, especially when he goes to collect his money. They're cowards. I'm glad they are off the streets."

Hiscox will serve a further three years for two other robberies, in the weeks before and after that of Mr Heard.

Newport Crown Court was told Hiscox and Maloney had pleaded guilty to robbing Mr Heard. They had been in Commercial Road, Pill, with friends when they saw him walking to the post office.

Prosecutor Tracey Nelson said Hiscox followed Mr Heard, watching him withdraw £241 in benefit. When Mr Heard left, Hiscox rejoined the group, telling them what he had seen. Maloney suggested they “follow him and do him over.”

The others wanted no part, but Hiscox and Maloney followed Mr Heard into Pardoe Thomas Close. Hiscox punched him in the face, he fell down, and Maloney searched him for money. They then ran off.

Representing Hiscox, Leighton Hughes said his offending “grotesquely escalated” after he reached 18 years old. Sarah Waters, Maloney's counsel, said he realised that despite his lesser role, he was responsible.

Judge Roderick Denyer ordered Hiscox to serve three years in a youth offenders' institution. Maloney was given a three-year prison sentence.

  • Hiscox will also serve sentences of one and two years respectively, for robberies on March 7, when he took musical equipment and a mobile phone from a 17-year-old boy on Lower Dock Street, and on April 22, when he robbed a 49-year-old woman of her purse on Dumfries Place. She fell during the struggle, fracturing a shoulder.