A ROBBER who preyed upon vulnerable women has been locked up for four-and-a-half years after a judge decided he posed a significant risk to Worcester people.

Shamryz Yousaf’s record of 12 convictions for 34 offences since 1997 revealed two attacks on women in Fort Royal park when he snatched handbags, said prosecutor Paul Whitfield.

He also forced a female friend to steal from her father by taking money which had been concealed in a wardrobe.

His arrest came on February 24 after he accosted two teenage students near his home in Victoria Avenue, off London Road, Worcester, and offered to walk them home.

The girls, aged 16 and 17, rejected his advances and he responded by grabbing a £200 phone from one of them and running off.

It was recovered when police caught up with him in Wyld’s Lane a short time later. In the police station, Yousaf kicked an officer in the groin and threatened to spit at him, said Mr Whitfield. He said he had smoked skunk cannabis and been drinking.

Yousaf pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to robbery and common assault. He will have 116 days deducted from his jail sentence because of the time he has spent in custody on remand. But he will have an extended period on licence for three years once he has completed his sentence.

Mr Whitfield said both students were now frightened of walking home in the dark in case they encountered a similar incident. This had impacted on their social life.

Siobhan Collins, defending, said Yousaf had a history of drug and alcohol abuse but since being in prison he had tested clear of drugs. He had not been idle and had taken several courses, hoping soon to complete his cookery test.

Judge Robert Juckes QC said there was a pattern to Yousaf’s offending which included attacking vulnerable women.

He had a pent-up violence which was evidenced in his previous attacks.

“The community in Worcester is entitled to a degree of protection from the constant offending of the kind you represent,” he said.

“You represent a significant risk of serious harm to the community.”