Man angrily confronted woman who owed him money in the street

A woman who owed more than £200 to a suspected “loan shark” suddenly fell foul of him in the street when he aggressively confronted her and angrily demanded his cash.

It turned into something out of a horror movie for the victim when menacing bully Christopher Lee warned her that he would hit her unless she handed over some money to him. He twice pushed her during the nasty incident and reached into her jacket and stole her phone, Hull Crown Court heard.

Lee, 50, of Baptist Place, Bridlington, admitted theft on March 14 last year. He denied the more serious offence of robbery but he admitted theft on the day of a scheduled trial.

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Katy Welford, prosecuting, said that, at 3.15pm, the woman was walking in the Palace Car Park area of Bridlington at 3.15pm when she saw what she believed was a group of drug users.

She decided to walk the other way but Lee approached her and shouted: “Where’s my money?” She recognised him and told him that she did not have any money.

Lee walked in front of her and warned her: “Give me some money or I’m going to hit you.” He put his hand in the woman’s jacket and took her mobile phone and a card holder that she used for items, including a debit card.

“The victim attempted to get the items back but she was unsuccessful,” said Miss Welford. Lee pushed the woman, causing her to fall, but she did not suffer any injuries. “Both of them walked their separate ways,” said Miss Welford. “The items were not retrieved.”

Lee was arrested on April 20 last year at The Promenades shopping centre, Bridlington. He resisted but he was taken to Clough Road police station, Hull. He made no comment during police interview.

Lee had convictions for 80 previous offences, including 47 for theft and similar between 1991 and 2009 and seven for fraud and similar between 1991 and 2004. His most recent offence was burglary in June 2019.

Matthew Moore-Taylor, mitigating, said that, although an element of fear was caused to the woman, the offence was towards the lower end of the scale for seriousness. “There was some engagement between the two of them,” said Mr Moore-Taylor.

It was, however, “stretching the imagination” to say that the woman was running away towards the end of the incident. Lee did not pose a risk to members of the public and his most recent offence was now more than five years ago.

Recorder Simon Jackson KC said that the woman was following Lee, trying to get her property back when Lee pushed her.

“He sought her out,” said Recorder Jackson. “She described him as a loan shark. He wanted his money. She didn’t have any money. He put his hand in her pocket. He took her phone and he was looking for what else he could take.”

The woman seemingly pleaded with Lee but he forced her to the ground before she followed him and he pushed her away again. “He got part-payment for his debt,” said Recorder Jackson.

Mr Moore-Taylor said that Lee did not plead guilty on the basis that he was a loan shark. “He was not a loan shark,” said Mr Moore-Taylor.

Recorder Jackson replied: “Well, that just makes him a street robber then. He targeted her.”

Mr Moore-Taylor said: “They do know each other. He would loan her money from time to time.” Recorder Jackson said: “She borrowed money and owed a debt of £210. It’s a question of whether you are a loan shark or someone who loans money.”

Lee, previously of Flamborough Road, Bridlington, was given an 18-month suspended prison sentence and 30 days’ rehabilitation.