A DRUNK man shouted repeatedly at a boy, 14, as he tried to steal his scooter before pushing him into a fence.

Daryl Nicholas Marston said he couldn't remember the moment he attempted to rob the scooter from the schoolboy in Hereford city centre.

Marston, 33 of Chestnut Drive in Hereford, had been drinking heavily prior to the attempted robbery in Cathedral Green, prosecuting barrister Philip Beardwell said.

He told Hereford Crown Court the boy, 14, was with some friends when Marston shouted at him and asked how much the scooter was.

When the boy replied it was not for sale, he grabbed him, continued to shout about wanting the scooter and then shoved him into the fence.

When interviewed by the police, Marston said he could not remember the incident but was able to identify himself from video footage of the scene. Recorder Abigail Nixon said it was "frankly disgraceful" Marston could not remember his actions.

Mr Beardwell added there were a number of drink-related previous convictions, as well as attempted robbery in 2005.

Mark Thompson, for Marston, said he had been "on a path of self-destruction leading" up to the attack but on September 24, 2019 has since started on his rehabilitation for his drinking problem. He was also said to be "sorry" for what happened.

Recorder Nixon said Marston, described by Mr Thompson as the "breadwinner" for his partner and their child, had "expressed genuine remorse" and noted he had not committed any other offences since.

She said a short custodial sentence was not appropriate, given she felt Marston needed help to prevent a relapse, having given up drinking alcohol since the attack.

But she did say had the 14-year-old would have been frightened but gave him credit for being so brave and holding on to the scooter.

Recorder Nixon gave Marston credit for the progress he has made in the last 12 months, as well as an early guilty plea to the one count of attempted robbery, when she sentenced him on Tuesday.

He was handed a 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, and was told to do 150 hours unpaid work in the next 12 months and 24 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also told to pay £530 costs and a £149 victim surcharge.