A student was shoved against the wall by a man who shouted the highwayman’s refrain: ‘stand and deliver’.
Magnus Pitt, 48, had been due to stand trial at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday accused of assault with intent to rob the student of his jumper outside Magdalen College on November 29 last year.
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But when he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of common assault, the trial cracked and he was bailed pending sentence next month.
Prosecutors claimed the former east Oxford man was outside Magdalen’s High Street entrance when he pushed the male student against the wall, issuing the highwayman’s cry of ‘stand and deliver’ – further popularised by singer Adam Ant in the 1980s – and repeating the words ‘do you want to die’.
Pitt denied assault with intent to rob or kicking a police officer in the chest two days after the incident outside the Oxford college.
Ronan McCann, defending, made reference during Wednesday’s hearing to his client’s poor mental health, which deteriorated further in the days following the alleged sweater snatch bid.
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Judge Ian Pringle QC adjourned sentence for the preparation of pre-sentence reports by the probation service. He was told that Pitt was already working closely with support organisations in London, where he was now living.
Pitt, formerly of Bedford Street, Oxford, will return to court on August 25 for sentence.
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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.
To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward