Newport Man Jailed for Violent City Centre Mugging

A drinker was mugged in Newport city centre in the early hours of the morning while walking to get a cab home.

Leon Orphan, 25, robbed his victim outside a taxi office on Upper Dock Street at around 12:10am on Tuesday, February 4.

Newport Crown Court heard that Orphan, wearing a balaclava, followed the man while repeatedly demanding money, asking for “a fiver.”

The victim had arrived at Newport railway station after catching a train from Pontypool where he had been enjoying drinks with friends.

CCTV footage played in court showed Orphan “manhandling” the victim for around 30 seconds before pushing him to the ground and taking his wallet, which contained £20 in notes, £5 in loose change, and his bank card. The robbery took place in front of a taxi driver who drove off. 🚖

In a victim impact statement, the complainant revealed: “I suffer from anxiety and depression. On the day after the robbery, I felt more depressed than I’d ever felt before. I’m worried that something similar could happen again. I don’t feel safe going to the city centre anymore.”

Orphan, of Risca Road, Newport, admitted robbery. The court heard he has 15 previous convictions for 69 offences, mostly shoplifting, and was previously jailed for burglaries at a restaurant and pub in Newport in 2023.

Judge Eugene Egan told Orphan: “This was a street robbery in which you pursued your victim. You manhandled him for about 30 to 40 seconds before you pushed him to the ground and you robbed him of his wallet. This happened right in front of a taxi driver so this was a brazen offence.”

Orphan was jailed for 30 months and ordered to pay a victim surcharge following his release from prison.