A MAN who took part in a robbery in a Welshpool alleyway has been jailed for two years.

Adam Gough initially denied robbing cash, a mobile phone and a bank card from Jack Ashby, who had been on a night out in the town when he was attacked.

Mold Crown Court heard Gough admitted to police he had assaulted Mr Ashby in an alleyway near the Iceland Store on Puzzle Square, but had denied taking the items from him.

Judge Niclas Parry said it was surprising that Gough was standing alone in the dock as there were two other men at the scene at time who had been caught on CCTV.

Mr Ashby came across the three men – including Gough whom he knew from his schooldays – after he went to a cashpoint to get money.

But when he went down the alleyway he was punched in the face by Gough who aimed another blow at him forcing his victim to curl up on the floor.

Prosecuting barrister James Treadwell said Mr Ashby recalled hearing a man shout “What have you got” and he was forced to empty his pocket of £10 cash and his bank card and mobile phone.

Further demands were made for a PIN number, but he offered a fake one to his assailants.

Mr Ashby needed hospital treatment after suffering a swollen eye and double vision.

His bank card was used to withdraw £500 and £200 from town centre cash points later that night.

Mr Treadwell told the court CCTV footage showed Gough in Puzzle Square where he was joined by another man. Later he was seen with a different man at the Angel pub, who was later captured by the camera trying to break the bank card up.

The snapped card was later found by police near a drain.

“He (Gough) was identified by the complainant and he was placed in the alleyway at the time of the robbery,” said Mr Treadwell.

After a jury was sworn in at Mold, Gough, 22, formerly of Borfa Green, Welshpool, changed his plea and admitted robbery on January 12 this year.

Defence barrister Philip Clemo said that Gough was always prepared to admit to assaulting Mr Ashby.

But he noted: “The CCTV shows that he leaves the alleyway. He comes back soon after.

“After hitting him (Mr Ashby) it is clear that someone else went in to take the items.

“But he (Gough) lent support which makes him culpable for the act itself.

“There were certain gaps about his memory that night.

“But there are several people who can consider themselves very lucky not to be in the dock as well today. There have been some bizarre charging decisions.”

Judge Parry also imposed a two-year restraining order on Gough not to contact his victim on his release from prison and he told him: “This was an unusual street robbery down a dark alleyway – the complainant suffered nasty injuries.

“There was more than one person involved and perhaps surprisingly bearing in mind the violence of those others you stand here alone.

“To your credit you’ve never disputed you didn’t use violence.

“Having left the alleyway you went back but your presence would have been encouragement to others that they could complete the offence of robbery and take the property.”