A TEENAGER who targeted a disabled man in the street has been locked up.

Bradley Jarvis threw a can of lager at the man on a mobility scooter outside Marymead shops in Stevenage.

The 19-year-old then chased the man as he tried to get away, kicked his scooter and attempted to strike him with a brick, narrowly missing the victim. He also verbally abused the man using disability-related insults.

Jarvis, of Broadwater Crescent, Stevenage was sentenced to a total 18 months in a young offenders’ institute after being found guilty of a disability hate crime and other offences at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday.

Investigating officer PC Paul Batterbee said: “Bradley Jarvis’s behaviour on that day was totally unacceptable and unprovoked as he mindlessly targeted a vulnerable man on a mobility scooter who meant him no harm.

“I am extremely pleased with the outcome of the sentencing and I sincerely hope that this result sends out a clear message to anyone proved to be responsible of a disability hate crime: that you will be dealt with severely by police and the courts.

“I also hope that the sentencing encourages any other victims of disability hate crime to contact police as I can assure you we will take your report seriously.”

Jarvis was sentenced to 12 months in relation to a previous suspended sentence for robbery and public order offences. He was given another six months for criminal damage and the disability hate crime which happened on August 15.

After the hearing, the police said they are keen to encourage victims and witnesses of disability hate crime to come forward without fear and to reassure them that they will be taken seriously.

To help victims, there are specially trained hate crime officers who can be contacted via the force non-emergency number 101.