Solomon Bygraves just before he moves forward to rob his 92 year old victim. Image: Met Police

29 year old Solomon Bygraves, described as an ‘exceedingly large’ robber has been jailed for 30 months at Southwark Crown Court for stealing £5 from his 92 year old victim.

He knocked over and hurt Stanley Evans after conning him by pretending he was going to help him with his wheelie bag.

Mr Evans had just returned from a shopping trip.

He lunged for the pensioner’s wallet, knocking his victim to the ground.

Custody image of Solomon Bygraves. Image: Met Police

CCTV footage was played in the courtroom and shows Bygraves running off.

Mr Evans remained lying in the entrance area for ten minutes after the attack on January 31st this year .

Bygraves has 21 convictions for 49 different offences including two for robbery.

The judge, Recorder Andrew Mitchell QC, said the attack on Mr Evans, who’s now 93, could have been fatal.

He said:

The victim in the case could easily have died, not through any other reason than just snatching something from him, and causing him therefore to fall down, and he could have just gone at that age.

He was a very small, frail man.

Bygraves had written to the judge that the attack was the ‘most horrible, horrific, shameful crime’ he has committed.

Mr Evans is a retired camera assistant who worked on films including the 1947 classic Brighton Rock.

The judge praised Mr Evans for the comments he made in his victim impact statement.

He said:

This was a 92-year-old man going about his business. It was a remarkable victim impact statement. It is commendable, it shows a man of independence and maturity and understanding and appreciation.

Mr Evans said:

I believe the public would be served for him to be in prison for a long time for his cowardly attack. […] I was in pain for three weeks and am still suffering now. I was left on the floor after the robbery and couldn’t get myself up for nearly ten minutes due to the pain and shock. Due to my age I found it very difficult to get up.

I’m independently minded and determined not to allow this to change how I live or where or when I go out.