Repeat robber jailed after leaving elderly victim with broken femur

A man has been jailed after leaving an elderly man in hospital with a broken femur.

Today (Wednesday 7 July 2021) at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Christopher Hurn (13/05/1993) of no fixed abode was sentenced to over eight years imprisonment after pleading guilty to two counts of robbery, section 20 assault and section 39 assault.

The court heard how on Thursday 1 April 2021, Hurn had been sleeping in a garden of a property on North Road, Droylsden when his first victim, a 62-year-old man, went outside to ask what he was doing. This resulted in the victim inviting Hurn inside to use the toilet.

Inside the property Hurn asked the man for money and upon refusal Hurn threatened him with a hypodermic needle. Thankfully the victim was able to flee from Hurn uninjured and Hurn subsequently fled the property.

Later that week on Saturday 3 April, Hurn returned to the property and was spotted in the garden by an 86-year-old female resident. She went down to the entrance of the property along with another elderly male resident to speak to Hurn and tell him to leave.

As the man attempted to speak to Hurn he tried to push pass him and gain entry to the property and in doing so rammed a zimmer frame the elderly lady was using into her legs, causing her considerable pain and distress.

Hurn then subsequently pushed the man to the floor causing him excruciating pain and a fractured femur, leaving him in hospital for a considerable amount of time.

Hurn entered the property and headed to the apartment he had visited the previous day.

Noticing Hurn had returned the elderly resident tried to stop him from entering and a further struggle ensued. During this, Hurn punched the man several times in the face before eventually stealing the man's wallet and keys to the building.

At court today Hurn was ordered to serve eight-and-a-half years in jail with an extended period of four-and-a-half years on license.

Detective Sergeant Peter Goddard of GMP's Tameside district Volume Crime Unit, said: "Hurn's callous actions left three elderly people injured and one in hospital for a considerable amount of time after the assault.

"Hurn was cowardly and preyed on vulnerable people, knowing full well they would not be able to fully defend themselves against him. No one should be made to feel unsafe in their own home and all three residents have been left understandably very shaken by the ordeal.

"Thankfully today Hurn has been put behind bars for over eight years and I hope today's sentence helps them to recover from the incident and provides a small sense of justice."

Greater Manchester Victims' Services provide emotional and practical support to anyone affected by crime and are a confidential service. The service can be contacted by visiting the website on www.gmvictims.org.uk or calling 0161 200 1950.