**Judge Condemns ‘Disgraceful’ Mugging in Swansea as Two Men Jailed for Student Attack**
Two men have been sent to prison after a violent mugging that left the victim—a university student—pinned to the ground while his attackers rifled through his pockets, subsequently using his stolen bank card to buy alcohol. The incident, which took place in the early hours in Swansea city centre, has been described by a judge as a “disgraceful” act that tarnishes the city’s image.
The attack unfolded late on 14 March after the student had spent an evening enjoying drinks with friends on Swansea’s notoriously lively Wind Street. As the night drew to a close, the student began making his way home, only to be tailed by 36-year-old Scott Simmonds and 24-year-old Kieron Gordon.
When the victim reached Lower Oxford Street, near the Builder’s Arms pub, he was confronted by the two men. Simmonds, after a brief exchange, punched the student. Together, the pair forced him face down onto the pavement while searching through his pockets for anything worth stealing. The victim was told not to resist as the attack unfolded in the quiet of the early morning.
Shortly after the mugging, the perpetrators used their victim’s bank card at a nearby Nisa shop, spending £79 on alcohol. They tried, unsuccessfully, to use the card for additional purchases amounting to £150. The incident was swiftly reported to South Wales Police, leading to the identification and arrest of Simmonds and Gordon four days later.
At Swansea Crown Court, the two men pleaded guilty to robbery and fraud. During sentencing, Judge Geraint Walters did not hide his exasperation at the attack, stating, “What an advert for Swansea—come to our city, do what students do, but you run the risk of being mugged by two men.” He described the facts of the case as deeply concerning, expressing sympathy for the victim, who was simply enjoying a typical student night out.
Prosecution barrister Ieuan Rees outlined the timeline of events, highlighting how the two defendants deliberately targeted a vulnerable and intoxicated student. The court heard the impact of the ordeal on the victim and reflected on the damage such behaviour does to Swansea’s reputation, especially among students and their families.
Mitigation was offered on behalf of both men. For Simmonds, who has an extensive criminal history of 93 previous offences and was on licence at the time following a shoplifting conviction, the court heard how alcoholism has dominated his adult life. Simmonds had used his time on remand to reflect and indicated, via a letter, his intention to break the cycle of offending. His defence argued that these expressions of remorse were sincere.
Defending Gordon, counsel explained that, unlike Simmonds, Gordon had no previous convictions and had a relatively stable upbringing, achieving commendable results at school and holding steady employment. Gordon attributed his participation in the offence simply to being drunk that night and expressed his regret, which was detailed in a heartfelt letter to the court.
The judge acknowledged the differences in background between the two men but described both as educated individuals who had made poor choices. He lamented the “waste of lives” before him and noted alcohol as an aggravating element in the crime. In sentencing, Simmonds received 40 months in prison, benefiting from a third reduction for his early guilty plea. Gordon, whose pleas came later in the legal process, was sentenced to 30 months.
Judge Walters told the court that those convicted may serve up to half their sentences before release on licence, though the exact proportions are set by government policy. He left unsaid precisely how much time each would spend behind bars, referencing current practices dictated by the Home Office.
Crimes such as this, occurring in areas popular with students and young people, threaten to undermine efforts promoting Swansea as a safe place to live and study. Local authorities and the university community alike will be hoping the sentences act as both a deterrent to others and some measure of reassurance to students and residents affected by the incident.