Hartlepool man jailed after robbing pizza delivery driver in violent midnight attack

Watson Foster, 25, appeared at Teesside Crown Court over a videolink from Holme House Prison, Stockton, where he is serving a two-year sentence for unlawful wounding.

Teesside's top judge added another 20 months jail to the sentence.

Judge Paul Watson QC said the courts would protect delivery workers who were vulnerable targets as they performed a valuable public service.

Watson attacked the driver as he arrived outside his family home in Allerton Close, Hartlepool, just after midnight on May 2.

He opened the driver's door and asked for the food, and the delivery man suspected he was not the person who had placed the order, said prosecutor Paul Newcombe.

He asked for the name in which the delivery had been ordered and Foster said that he could not do that because it was for his brother. Watson grabbed the food but it was the wrong one. Mr Newcombe said that there was then a "tug-of-war" between them outside the car until Foster pushed the driver and grabbed a pizza.

The driver said that he was calling the police and Foster grabbed the phone out of his hand and punched him several times knocking him off his feet with loud blows that were heard by a witness.

Foster ran off but he returned saying he could have the phone back but that it would cost him £30. Then he elbowed the car windscreen and kneed the passenger door putting a dent in it.

Mr Newcombe said: "The whole incident lasted 20 minutes, fortunately ending when the police arrived on the scene having been called there.

"Foster was arrested but he initially made no comment."

Foster had previous convictions and in June he was sentenced to 24 months by the same judge for unlawful wounding. His earliest release date was next April.

Stephen Constantine, defending, said Foster realised his sentence would be extended and he was determined to use his time in prison to give hope on his release to himself and his family.

Watson was jailed for 20 months consecutively after he pleaded guilty to robbery and criminal damage.

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