Jail for man who punched pensioner on a mobility scooter in Birmingham

Passers-by who bravely stepped in to apprehend a man who punched a pensioner on a mobility scooter and tried to rob him in Birmingham have been praised.

Zahid Akhtar, who also pulled off his victim’s glasses, has now been jailed for four years.

The 36-year-old spotted the man, who was in his 70s, in the Moseley area as he was returning from shopping on May 26.

Akhtar grabbed hold of the pensioner from behind and tried to pull him from the scooter, shouting ‘Give me the money’.

He began punching the man, leaving him with a cut to his face, before throwing his glasses on to the ground.

As Akhtar went to leave, a passing cyclist who had seen the assault stopped to help and along with another passer-by managed to hold Akhtar until West Midlands Police officers arrived and arrested him.

Akhtar, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court to four years after pleading guilty to assault with intent to rob.

DC Jeff Brooks, of Force CID, said: “The passing cyclist courageously stepped in when he saw what was happening to this elderly man and with the help of another passer-by managed to apprehend Akhtar.

“We can only praise their community spirit and thank them for their actions which have helped us put a cold-hearted criminal behind bars.”