A FLINTSHIRE mum has been put behind bars for her part in a terrifying street robbery over money.

Nicola Garner, of Holly Court in Pen Y Llan Street, Connah's Quay, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday morning for sentence.

The 27-year-old, who appeared via video link from HMP Styal, had been found guilty after trial of robbery.

Max Saffman, prosecuting, told the court that the offence took place on July 17, 2022, at Holywell.

The complainant, Thomas Lloyd, had known Garner for around four years when he arranged to buy crack cocaine from the defendant's boyfriend, Damien Morris.

Mr Lloyd was told to go to a pathway in Holywell, where he met Garner and Morris.

He then felt a heavy blow, believed to have been from a wooden bat, fell to the floor, then tried to run - but Garner ran after him and tripped him up.

Morris caught up and kicked the complainant to the face while the defendant knelt on his arm, shouting: "Where's the money?"

Mr Lloyd lost consciousness and came around when a member of the public helped him up - by which time his money had been taken.

The complainant suffered significant physical injury including a dislocated shoulder and displaced fracture of the upper arm, which required surgery.

In his impact statement, he said he had been told he would never fully recover the use of it following the damage.

He felt the incident had ruined his life.

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Garner and Morris were arrested the day after the robbery, but a decision to charge the pair was not made by the CPS until some eight months after, the court heard.

By that time, Morris had died. His death came as a result of sepsis, in February 2023.

The Leader: Nicola Garner (NWP)Nicola Garner (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)Oliver King, defending, said the incident had been a "joint enterprise" for which his client had to take "joint responsibility."

But he said there was no evidence she had possessed or used the bat to inflict injury upon Mr Lloyd.

Judge Rhys Rowlands agreed Morris appeared to have been "the main player" in the robbery and asked why it had taken so long to bring the matter before the court.

He said: "It was the victim's word against hers and the deceased - why did it take them until March the next year to charge this woman with the crime?

"By which point Morris, who it would appear was the main player, was dead?

"Had he been charged with some expedition or efficiency, he might have still been alive for all we know - I am afraid it is beyond comprehension.

"She (Garner) should have been charged and remanded in custody, as should the deceased.

"As it was, seemingly little was done for months and months.

"Eight month was far too long."

Mr King said his client, a mum-of-one and former pupil of Mold Alun school, hopes to use her time in custody productively.

"She got involved in this despicable incident at her lowest ebb," he told the court.

"And she has really struggled with her mental health.

"[In custody] she has been targeted by some of the other woman and had been bullied - but she continues to try and do some good.

The Leader:

"It is a feature of this case that both the witness, Ms Garner and her deceased partner were all gripped by addiction at the time.

"She tells me that's behind her now and remains free of drugs.

"She's embarked on English and maths qualifications; and she's been able to take up a catering course."

Mr King added Garner has "really tried to rehabilitate herself" by way of a detox programme and "genuinely has turned a corner."

Judge Rowlands told Garner: "You were waiting for the victim with Morris and when he appeared in the pathway you stepped in front of him, blocking him.

"He tried to run, but it was you who grabbed his t-shirt and tripped him.

"Without you, he might have got away. Morris may have been the main player, but you were not on the periphery."

The Judge jailed her for seven years.