Dangerous mugger from Willesden loses appeal against jail sentence

A dangerous mugger from Willesden who turned a cleaner’s life upside down after beating her up in a dawn bag snatch has lost his appeal to have his jail term reduced.

Gary Christopher Evans, of Donnington Road, attacked the 63-year-old woman as she walked to work in August last year, kicking and punching her when she refused to give him her handbag.

London’s Criminal Appeal Court heard the victim was unable to return to work after the incident left her suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The 25-year-old, who has an ‘appalling’ criminal record, was handed an 11-year extended sentence - made up of a six-year jail term and five years on extended licence - at Harrow Crown Court in December last year, after admitting robbery.

Yesterday, Evans challenged his sentence at the Appeal Court with his lawyers arguing he had wrongly been labelled a danger to society.

But his appeal was dismissed by three of the country’s top judges, who said his tough sentence was justified by the devastating impact on his victim.

The court heard the woman was attacked as she walked to work at about 4.30am on August 16 last year.

Evans ran towards her and pushed her, causing her head to hit a wall, before punching and kicking her before wrestling her bag from her.

The bag and most of its contents were recovered as Evans was caught shortly after the incident and arrested.

The judge said Evans had 30 previous convictions, for 60 offences, including burglary, anti-social behaviour and a number of other robberies.

Evidence from a psychologist indicated he had a personality disorder, mental health problems exacerbated by substance abuse, and was likely to reoffend.

Dismissing the appeal, Mr Justice Burnett said his sentence could not be criticised.