Tenant jailed for attacking landlord

A drunken tenant who beat up his Great Yarmouth landlord and stole �400 from his wallet has been jailed for two years.

Judge Anthony Bate said David Elson, 52, posed a real risk of harm to members of the public, and ordered him to remain on licence for a minimum of 10 years when he is released.

Norwich Crown Court also heard that Elson had been jailed for four years in 2006 for beating up a 91-year-old man in a Norwich public toilet and stealing �30 from him.

Elson, of Bevan Close, Huntingdon, who has 17 previous convictions, appeared for sentencing after pleading guilty to robbery on the day his trial was due to be held.

Stephen Spence, prosecuting, said the robbery took place at David Morrell's house in Kent Square, Great Yarmouth.

Mr Spence said: “At about 7pm on July 3, Mr Morrell, who was 59, was in the lounge of his private quarters.

“Elson asked for his rent deposit money back, but Mr Morrell refused. Elson then lost his temper and punched Mr Morrell about six times in the face and kicked him in the ribs while he was on the floor, and he thinks he may have been knocked out.

“An ambulance was called and Mr Morrell said the whole incident probably lasted just about 30 seconds. Elson took �400 from Mr Morrell's wallet. He was arrested at the Salvation Hostel in Grimsby on July 10.”

Mr Spence said Elson had a list of convictions going back to 1979.

In mitigation, James Dick said it was not a pre-planned attempt by Elson to take Mr Morrell's money.

He said: “Mr Elson was living in extremely unpleasant, unsanitary conditions as a tenant of Mr Morrell. It was a spontaneous eruption of temper.”

The judge told Elson: “From the stark pre-sentence report, it shows you pose a significant risk to the public in committing further violent offences.”