Amanda Yeaman and David McNeill were found guilty of assaulting the 75-year-old victim and stealing items from his home while he pretended to be unconscious. The court was moved by the victim’s description of Amanda Yeaman as a friend who paid frequent visits to his home. She returned later that night with David McNeill after visiting him to borrow money. They were both inebriated when they were invited in. While there, what might be described as a scuffle ensued and the complainant was assaulted, resulting in minor injuries, scrapes, and bruising,” prosecutor David Povall told Newcastle Crown Court. He then pretended to be unconscious and set off his alarm when they left. He looked around the flat and discovered that a small amount of cash, a mobile phone, and a wedding ring had gone missing.” Yeaman and McNeill were charged with robbery at first, but prosecutors accepted their guilty pleas to theft and assault by beating instead. McNeill also admitted to offering cannabis to unknown people after police discovered texts on his phone indicating he had done so. Yeaman, 48, of Milton Road, Whickham, Gateshead, and McNeill, 35, of Morris Street, Gateshead, received ten-month suspended sentences. Yeaman was sentenced to alcohol treatment, while McNeill was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work. “Yeaman, you were friendly with the victim and regularly visited him at his home,” said Recorder Tahir Khan KC. He was 75 years old, had some limitations, and was living in sheltered housing. He undoubtedly appreciated your visits to him. “In the early hours of May 1 the two of you went to his flat and while you were there, there was a scuffle in which he was assaulted but without significant injury being inflicted on him. You stole money, his phone, and a wedding ring while you were there.” Elizabeth Muir, representing Yeaman, stated that she had a difficult childhood, is remorseful, her adult son recently died, and that she needed help overcoming her alcoholism. McNeill, according to Rachel Hedworth, has mental health issues.
