Stefan Kudla tried to rob man as he ate pasty on a bench in Hull city centre

A CRIMINAL who targeted a man eating his lunch on a bench was caught after a passing motorist took a photo of the attack on his phone.

Stefan Kudla, 26, approached Michael Roberts as he ate a pasty while waiting for his girlfriend to finish work in Pryme Street in Hull city centre.

Kudla, of east Hull, asked his victim for money, then a cigarette before trying to steal his phone and pull his watch from his hand.

When Mr Roberts refused, Kudla punched him twice to the face and headbutted him.

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A passing motorists took a picture of the attack on his mobile phone and handed it to the police, who arrested Kudla nearby.

Honorary Recorder of Hull and the East Riding Judge Michael Mettyear has jailed him for three years after he pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Hull Crown Court.

Prosecutor Mark Kendall said: "Kudla asked if he had £1 and Mr Roberts indicated he had no money. He asked for a cigarette and his victim said he did not smoke.

"Kudla then said 'I'm a good guy', before grabbing the sunglasses Mr Roberts was wearing and bending them and dropping them on the floor."

Kudla then demanded his phone, headbutting and punching him, and also tried to pull his watch from his arm on August 20.

Barrister Steven Garth, defending Kudla, said: "This was stupid immature behaviour in drink on a warm summer's afternoon.

"He has expressed grave remorse and is prepared to write an apology to his victim."

Judge Michael Mettyear said it was a "nasty street violence" against a man "minding their own business having some lunch."

He said: "It must have been very worrying and frightening for him to be subjected to threats, abuse and violence, resulting in punches and headbutts."

Judge Mettyear said Kudla had been drinking but it was "no mitigation whatsoever".

Kudla has previous convictions dating back to 2001 involving possessing offensive weapons and knives and was jailed for two years in 2009 for attempted robbery.

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