A MAN has been jailed for six-and-a-half years after he was convicted of robbing and attacking a homeless man in Wrexham, leaving him with serious injuries.

Phillip Collo, who was homeless himself at the time, was jailed for two years for robbing Martin Woolley - with a four-and-a-half years consecutive sentence for returning and beating him up four days later.

Judge Niclas Parry, sitting at Mold Crown Court, said anyone who used social media frequently saw people walking down streets kicking at the tents of homeless people.

They were sly, cowardly forceful kicks at those unfortunate enough to sleep rough and were often sickening attacks by men were wearing suits.

"The shocking aspect of this case is that you have experienced homelessness and you were prepared to set about one of your own," the judge told Collo, 43, now of Bryn Clyd in Leeswood, near Mold.

He was part of a group in the early hours when he knew the victim would be asleep on on rough ground on the side of the road.

"One shudders to think what fear they must feel day to day, thinking as they got to sleep 'am I going to be attacked tonight?'," the judge said.

The first attack was pre-meditated, motivated by a belief that the victim had wronged another.

His tent was kicked repeatedly, the victim curled up in pain but was dragged out, his phone was taken and when he was on all fours Collo kicked and punched him.

Collo and two others went to the tent where the victim kept his worldly goods, rifled through them and took all that he had.

Collo warned that if he reported the matter, or if he did not come up with the money Collo believed he had taken from another, that he would get worse and could even be killed.

Judge Parry said significant force had been used and pointed out that kicking was akin to using a weapon.

"Four days later you went back as promised," he said.

"Your victim was going to be punished because he had not produced the money."

Acting with someone else, Collo kicked him through the tent "each kick hurting more and more".

The tent was wrapped around him to prevent escape and he suffered a damaged spleen and a fractured eye socket.

Collo had previous convictions for 63 offences and could have no credit in sentencing because he had a trial and Mr Woolley had to give evidence.

Collo had denied robbery and wounding with intent in May of last year but was convicted on Wednesday.

In a victim impact statement, read by barrister Simon Mintz, prosecuting, Mr Woolley said that after what happened he feared going to Wrexham, suffered insomnia and night terrors, he had developed a fear of crowds and he had lost confidence.

He had also been left with feelings of isolation and insecurity.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Jonathan Owen, 42, of Holt Road, Wrexham, who admitted the robbery, who failed to turn up for sentencing.

Kevin Jones, defending, said his client's previous convictions were linked to his periods of homelessness.

Ironically his situation had now improved and he was probably in the best position he had ever been and had a place to call home.

But since his mother's the death he cared for two younger brothers who were vulnerable.

Family would rally around but he asked the judge to take into account the effect of any sentence on them.