Newport Woman Jailed for Phone Theft After Head Punch

A Newport woman has been jailed for 34 weeks after punching a victim in the head and stealing her mobile phone in a street attack. 📱⚖️

Sinead Sandell, 37, approached her victim from behind in Francis Drive on March 30, saying “You know what you’re doing”. When the victim, who was known to Sandell, replied “What”, the defendant responded: “Don’t make me repeat myself”.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that as the victim was speaking on her mobile phone and tried to walk away, Sandell grabbed the phone and punched her to the back of the head. The victim described it as a “weak punch” before Sandell walked off with the black Nokia phone.

Sandell, of Stow Hill, Newport, pleaded guilty to theft and common assault. The court was told she has 36 previous convictions, mostly for shoplifting, and was already subject to a community order for stealing from Tesco at the time of the offence.

In mitigation, barrister Kathryn Lane said her client was “stealing to provide a means to an end” and was genuinely remorseful. She explained that Sandell has struggled with drug misuse for a substantial period, but being remanded in custody has had a “positive effect” as she is now clean of class A drugs.

Judge Richard Kember sentenced Sandell to a total of 34 weeks imprisonment.