‘Despicable’ mother and son jailed
A mother and her son were jailed for a total of 16 years today for robbing and stabbing a 75 year old man for his pension.
Joanne Hatwell, 46, and son Ryan, 27, followed pensioner Thomas Jarvis after he made his way home from his local post office in Romford, Essex on April 9.
Ryan knifed Mr Jarvis four times in the leg before Ms Hatwell grabbed his wallet from his pocket.
A neighbour ran to Mr Jarvis’ aid after the muggers made off with
Ms Hatwell spoke to Mr Jarvis at their local shop, often asking him for money for cigarettes.
Her son, Ryan, had previously been employed as a dock worker, but moved back in with his mother late last February.
The house was said in court to have been notorious in the area for drug use.
Ryan Hatwell’s barrister Peter Bedingfield said that it was after moving in with his mother that Hatwell’s drug use spiralled.
He said that Joanne talked her son into doing the robbery with her and that she knew that he was carrying the knife.
He was described in court as having a personality disorder and ADHD.
His mother Joanne Hatwell has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Her defence barrister Archangelo Power told the court that she did not know that her son was carrying a knife.
Mr Power said: ‘CCTV footage shows her son running quickly away while she walks slowly.’
Judge Judith Hughes said: ‘I think the defendants are quite lucky that the crown decided this was a street robbery because what occurred occurred on the cusp of Mr Jarvis’ residence.
‘It is the most despicable crime in terms of robbing an elderly man.
‘The main responsibility for the plan is to lie with Joanne Hatwell.
‘She has not lead an easy life, I understand that.
‘However, she knows the difference between right and wrong.
‘The crime was committed because of her knowledge of Mr Jarvis and that he was an easy target.
‘He was not known at all to her son, Ryan Hatwell.
‘It is the most despicable crime because an elderly man was assaulted on his property.
‘Ms Hatwell sees him in the shop, asks him for cigarettes, befriends him and then treats him in this absolutely despicable way.
‘Her mental problems do not even begin to touch the surface of this.
‘There are no mitigating factors, she made Jarvis give evidence, and then after he gave evidence did not turn up to court again.
Joanne Hatwell was given 8 years for the robbery.
Judge Hughes then turned to Ryan Hatwell.
She told him: ‘Ryan Hatwell of course his role is different, he carried the knife.
‘He at least had the balls to plead guilty, and for that I am going to give him a discount.’
Ryan Hatwell was given six and a half years for the robbery and one and a half years for carrying the knife
Joanne Hatwell of Redcar Road, Romford, admitted robbery.
Ryan Hatwell, also of Redcar Road, Romford admitted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.
Memo- Not for publication
Ryan Hatwell
DOB: 14/12/1990
Address Redcar Road, Romford.
Charges- One count robbery, one count possession of a knife
Joanne Hatwell
DOB: 29/10/71
Address: Redcar Road, Romford
Charges- One count robbery
