Pair who violently robbed Nottingham milkman and crashed his float into wall spared jail
The victim was attacked whilst on his rounds in Basford, Nottingham
Two men who violently attacked a milkman, stole his float and crashed it into a wall in Nottingham have been spared jail.
Rico Siddell and Luke Solomon targeted the victim while he was on his rounds in Basford in the early hours of 17th March 2022.
He was reversing the van in Vernon Park Drive when Solomon picked up a bottle of milk from the back of the vehicle and hurled it through the driver’s side window.
The milkman drove away but was chased by Solomon on a bicycle and eventually the van had to stop at traffic lights.
He tried to call police but the phone was grabbed from his hand by Solomon who also took the keys from the ignition.
After the victim got out of the van, he was punched in the face by Solomon and then attacked from behind by Siddell.
He was punched repeatedly to the head and briefly lost consciousness. The victim later told detectives he feared he was going to die because of the threats he was subjected to.
He needed stitches to his head and suffered further injuries to his leg and back.
Police received a further call of a van crashing into a wall on Tewskbury Drive, Basford, at around 4.05am.
Officers found the vehicle embedded in a wall with smoke coming from the bonnet and a pool of milk all over the street.
Officers quickly caught up with Solomon and Siddell and arrested them nearby.
Both appeared drunk and Solomon was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre for treatment to his injuries. While in A&E he assaulted two police officers by kicking out repeatedly.
Siddell, 20, of Wide Bargate, Boston, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to robbery on 2nd November 2023.
Solomon, 19, of Lace Street, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and assault of an emergency worker.
Both have now been sentenced to two years in a young offender's institution, suspended for 21 months, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, as well as 20 rehabilitation activity requirements days.
Solomon was additionally made to complete a six-month alcohol abstinence requirement course.
Detective Constable Ben Hensell, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was an unprovoked, prolonged and violent attack on a victim who was simply trying to earn a living.
“It must have been a frightening experience for him and he required hospital treatment for some nasty injuries.
“Siddell and Solomon could then easily have harmed other people when they drove the van at speed and crashed it into a wall.
“Solomon went on to assault two police officers and made vile comments and threats to them in front of patients and hospital staff who were trying to help him.
“Robbery is a deeply unpleasant crime which can have an emotional impact on victims which goes far beyond physical harm.
“I hope the victim and wider community are reassured by the police response, which saw us quickly arrest and charge these two individuals."