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Railway mugger caught by his distinctive hair
Paul Cheston, Courts Correspondent18 Mar 2009
POLICE took just seven minutes to find a railway station robber who attacked a lone woman vet, thanks to his distinctive haircut.
Simeon Blackwood-Odain punched her repeatedly in the head and face before making off with her handbag containing her mobile phone and a camera worth £250.
But the thug was stopped and arrested almost immediately and, after pleading guilty to robbery, was sentenced at Snaresbrook crown court.
Handing down an indeterminate prison sentence for the protection of the public, Judge Peter Birts QC told him: "You should be ashamed of yourself. You thrive on gang culture and the thrill of offending."
He ordered that Blackwood-Odain, 19, of Southend, who has previous convictions for thefts and GBH, must serve a minimum of two years and four months before he could be considered for parole. Blackwood-Odain attacked 36-year-old at London Fields station in east London on an October evening last year.
The woman suffered bruising to her face and legs and her glasses were smashed in the ordeal.
But she was able to give specific details of the attacker - particularly his distinctive hair - to police. Within seven minutes of the attack Blackwood-Odain was spotted and stopped.
CCTV cameras had also caught him, with his hood down, at the station several times before the attack.
Outside court Dc Mark Tabbron, of British Transport Police, said: "This was a violent and callous attack on a woman who was minding her own business and waiting for a train home.
"Blackwood-Odain's distinctive haircut was certainly a key factor in enabling officers to identify and stop him as he walked down the road just minutes after the attack.
"We will continue to do all we can to make sure that violent offenders such as Blackwood-Odain are caught and swiftly brought to justice."
Reader views (9)
You showed him - it will be a long time before he attacks another citizen - well, maybe not a long time but at least not next week - I hope.
- Rich, Dallas, USA, 18/03/2009 21:54
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surely that name should read Simian?
- Kedge, marlboro wilts, 18/03/2009 21:47
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HE has previous convictions for theft and GBH and he's committed theft and GBH again
and all he gets is 2years and 4 months. What doe"s some one have to commit to get a REAL sentence ? GENOCIDE ! And just how full are the prisons !!!!!!!!
- Appy, TORONTO.ONT. CANADA., 18/03/2009 21:08
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Hair here Bob
- Daisy, Staffordshire, 18/03/2009 14:07
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Hair cut or lack of one?
- Brandon Thomas, SW7, London UK, 18/03/2009 12:28
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Hoods should be banned! -They're the equivalent to the scarf over the mouth worn by bad guys in old cowboy pictures!
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 18/03/2009 12:07
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What a brave boy, repeatedly punching a woman in the face, let's hope he's treated with the same sort of respect in jail.
- Bob, Cheam, 18/03/2009 10:29
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Not long enough. What mental damage has he done to his victim? Credit to the Police for catching him so fast.
- Barbara, Sydney, Australia,, 18/03/2009 10:20
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He certainly fancies himself as a bit of a hardman - thumping a 36 year old woman to steal her handbag and camera.
- Derek, London, 18/03/2009 10:18
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