JAILED: Husband who stole his wife’s mobility scooter and sold it at Cash Converters

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David Stephenson was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for a string of offences

David Stephenson, 43, also burgled his mother-in-law's house, a court heard.

Sentencing Stephenson to seven years and six months in prison, Judge Simon Jack told him: "Stealing your wife's mobility scooter was an utterly mean offence.

"You said you did not think she would recover from her illness so wouldn't need it.

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You're going to find out anyway. I've sold it to Cash Generator.

David Stephenson

"That's the most despicable thing I have heard in a long time."

Stephenson, who has 150 previous convictions, subjected a 74-year-old woman to a terrifying knifepoint robbery in Inglemire Lane, north Hull, East Yorks, had burgled two homes – one belonging to his mother-in-law and one other a 92-year-old man – and led police on a car chase in a stolen Peugeot.

Stephen Welch, prosecuting at Hull Crown Court, said that on November 30, last year, Stephenson's now-estranged wife woke up to find her mobile scooter, stored in a rear porch, was missing.

Stephenson initially denied knowing the whereabouts of the scooter, but then told her: "You're going to find out anyway. I've sold it to Cash Generator."

The court heard he had sold it to Cash Converters in Hull city centre for £600.

Mr Welch went on to describe a raid on a bungalow, which occurred at 9.20am on November 27.

The home belonged to a 92-year-old man. Stephenson got in through a bathroom window and stole jewellery and £50 in change.

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Stephenson sold his estranged wife's scooter to Cash Converters in Hull for £600

Another burglary, this time at the home of his wife's mother, occurred on December 1. Stolen items included a Dell laptop, jewellery, and Zippo lighters.

Neither victim was at home when Stephenson struck.

Stephenson's wife later found one of the lighters at their home, and realised it belonged to her mother.

Three days later, at around 9.40am on December 4, Stephenson committed the robbery.

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Stephenson said, as an excuse for selling the scooter, that he thought his wife would not recover

Mr Welch said:"The victim felt someone grab her arm. He told her, 'I want your bag.' He was trying to grab it from her.

"She refused to let it go. She told him, 'You are not having it. No, no.'

"This defendant then said, 'I am going to stab you'. He then produced a knife, with a four-inch blade, and started to open it up.

"The lady let go of her bag and he ran back along Inglemire Lane."

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The bag contained a purse, bank cards, keys and a mobile phone.

Stephenson's crime spree came to an end the following day, when a police officer spotted the Peugeot, which was stolen in the second burglary, and driven east along the A63 and onto Beverley Road, west Hull.

Mr Welch said:"The officer tried to stop the car.

"But it was driven along the pavement. The officer had the police vehicle's blue lights on, but the car drove off at 50mph, on the wrong side of the road.

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"The defendant drove on for some time, before stopping on 1st Avenue.

"He (Stephenson) got out (of the car) and ran in the direction of Greenwood Avenue, but was quickly detained by the officer."

Stephenson was found to be carrying a knife and "various property" belonging to his robbery victim.

During interview, Stephenson made no comment to questions put to him but said at the end: "I just want to apologise to all parties involved."

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The defence lawyer said that Stephenson was sorry for the string of thefts and threats

Stephenson, of Leeming Garth, Bransholme, pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary, one count of theft, one count of robbery and one count of dangerous driving.

Stephen Robinson, in mitigation, said: "This was a most unfortunate and serious offending spree.

"He is sorry and apologises for his actions. By way of his early guilty pleas, Mr Stephenson spared elderly victims having to come to court to give evidence."

Stephenson was also made the subject of a ten-year restraining order banning him from contacting his wife.

In addition, he was banned from driving for four years and nine months.

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