Man jailed for three years and nine months for attempted robbery in Scarborough

A man who targeted a victim in Scarborough to steal 'what little items she owned' has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Abubakarr Moiba pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was sentenced at York Crown Court on 10 November 2026.

The offence took place in Scarborough town centre in the early hours of 17 June 2026 when Moiba approached the victim and made serious threats towards her before attempting to steal her mobile phone.

Moiba was caught less than two weeks later, following reports of a robbery on 28 June, whereby the same victim's AirPods were stolen.

Officers were immediately deployed to the area, and extensive searches were carried out across Scarborough to locate the suspect, including a swift review of local CCTV.

Within an hour of the report, North Yorkshire Police Firearms officers located Moiba sitting outside the One Stop shop on Falsgrave Road, just a short distance from his home address. He was wearing the same clothing seen on CCTV footage which captured the incident and was carrying a black-handled kitchen knife.

A detective who was collecting his fish and chips nearby, also recognised Moiba as being in the area at the time, wearing the same clothing and behaving suspiciously.

A search of Moiba's home address uncovered a bicycle and black baseball cap matching the ones seen on CCTV. The victim's white AirPods and a black-handled knife were also recovered.

While being transported to Scarborough Police Station, Moiba spontaneously stated: "I didn't rob anything from her. She owed me money. She gave me the headphones." At that stage, officers had not disclosed what item had been stolen or who it had allegedly been stolen from.

Footage of Moiba approaching the victim on 17 June before making serious threats towards her and attempting to steal her mobile phone.

Following a North Yorkshire Police investigation, the 44-year-old, of no fixed address, was subsequently charged, convicted and sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment for the attempted robbery on 17 June. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

Two further charges, one of robbery and and the other possession of a knife in a public place, were agreed to remain on file.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the victim, explained that she had moved to the town seeking a fresh start after fleeing abuse and violence in the area where she had previously lived.

She described how the ordeal has left her too frightened to leave her home alone and said she is now a shadow of her former self, constantly looking over her shoulder and fearing repercussions for reporting what had happened to her.

Reflecting on the incident, she said: “I felt like a sitting duck with nowhere to go for safety.”

She told the court that Moiba had ruined her life and left her fearful of living in Scarborough. She added: “All I want to do is try to forget what has happened and move on with my life.”

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Alfie Thomlinson, from Scarborough and Ryedale CID who led the investigation, said:

“Moiba subjected his victim to a terrifying ordeal attempting to violently prey upon her vulnerabilities as a homeless young woman sleeping on the streets and steal what little items she owned.

"Moiba’s actions understandably have caused significant concern not only to his victim but also within the local community. However, thanks to the swift response, local knowledge and determination of Scarborough Detectives, Moiba was quickly identified, located and arrested.

"I would like to personally thank the victim of this case for her bravery in standing up to Moiba, who is a violent and dangerous individual by having the courage to give police evidence of this terrifying ordeal that has secured his conviction.

"I am pleased that a dangerous offender has been removed from our streets and brought to justice. I hope this sentence provides reassurance to the victim and wider community.”

Moiba is due to be deported at the end of his sentence.