A ROBBER who laid in wait for two separate victims on York's Millennium Bridge has been jailed.

Adrian Brough and his mates attacked Matte Hubner at the multi-million pound crossing over the River Ouse, which was created to celebrate the new Millennium, but has since been the scene of a number of violent incidents.

Mr Hubner suffered wounds requiring the back of his head to be stapled, and was also kicked while on the ground, but managed to get away.

But York Crown Court heard how Brough and his friends then laid in wait on the bridge for the next "hapless victim" to come along.

Using a brick, Brough forced Paul Bruce to turn out his pockets and then grabbed a £20 note from his hand. "You got lucky with him," said Recorder Timothy Roberts QC.

Prosecutor David Garnett said: "The second incident perhaps occurred because the first victim didn't have any money - unfortunately for the next victim."

Brough, 19, of Long Close Lane, off Walmgate, York, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to attempted robbery and robbery. Mr Garnett said the gang of about ten youths had asked Mr Hubner for a cigarette at 11.15pm on July 21 last year. When he said he didn't have any and walked off, Brough called "one, two, three" and hit him from behind.

The gang surrounded Mr Hubner and kicked him, but he managed to escape with a black eye, the head wound which needed four staples and other injuries.

Medical staff wanted Mr Hubner to stay in hospital overnight for observation, but he left at 4.30am.

Shortly after midnight, with the group standing at between 12 and 15 youths, Mr Bruce was approached and asked for £2.50. He refused, so Brough showed him a brick stuffed down his trousers and told him to turn out his pockets. As he showed his wallet, Brough grabbed the £20 note.

For Brough, Taryn Turner said her client had been drinking when he committed the offences and had also taken drugs.

He was out of work and needed money for alcohol and cigarettes and was part of a group who were looking for the same kind of thing late at night.

He had worked as a scaffolder in the past and a former employer was willing to take him on when he was released from jail.