Hartlepool man Kalem Lodge jailed at Teesside Crown Court over 'mistaken drug taxing' attempt
A thug with an “appalling” criminal record is behind bars after robbing a man of an e-scooter in a mistaken “drug taxing”.
Kalem Lodge, 35, and another man confronted the 21-year-old victim in Jackson Street, Hartlepool, and demanded he turn out his pockets with the aim of taking any drugs off him.
Despite being mistaken, Lodge, who had only been out of prison a short time, forcibly stole the man’s electric scooter worth around £650.
Cainan Lonsdale, prosecuting at Teesside Crown Court, described how the victim was robbed outside his aunt’s house.
Mr Lonsdale said: “The defendant pushed the victim with both hands into the door frame causing him to lose his balance and fall back.
“He forcibly removed the man’s hands from the scooter then rode off on it.”
In an impact statement, the victim said he was afraid he would be seriously harmed. Mr Lonsdale said: “He feels sick to the stomach and he is now scared to walk out the house.
“He will not even go to the shop alone.”
Lodge, of Brenda Road, Hartlepool, admitted robbery.
He has more than 30 offences on his record including biting a person’s ear off, possession of a machete and violence towards prison staff.
In mitigation, Rachael Landin said the March 6 robbery was “spontaneous and impulsive”, adding: “He accepts that he behaved poorly.”
Judge Aisha Wadoodi said Lodge had “an appalling record” and he was assessed as posing a high risk to the public.
She sentenced him to 27 months in prison.