A WOMAN who beat and robbed a pensioner and stole his jeep was jailed for five years with the final 12 months suspended. She was also given a seven-year road ban.
Judge Colin Daly said the attack and robbery was “shameful and disgusting”.
The victim, an innocent 77-year-old man, was left with “serious and lasting psychological trauma”, the judge said.
Mandy Milstein (36), of Castle Park, Moyross, Limerick, jumped into the victim’s jeep as it slowed in traffic at St Alphonsus Street in Limerick City on March 9, 2025.
Ms Milstein “got into the front passenger seat, attacked (the victim) and put him in a headlock”, Judge Daly told Milstein’s sentencing hearing at Limerick Circuit Court.
The judge said it was alleged that a male accomplice also got into the victim’s jeep and “attacked” the victim as “Ms Milstein went through his pockets and took his phone”.
The judge said the victim managed to escape from the jeep with the vehicle’s keys, but he was pursued on foot by Milstein and her alleged accomplice.
“They followed him, knocked him to the ground, and continued to assault him. Ms Milstein stole his wallet and keys and they drove off in the vehicle,” said the judge.
Gardaí were alerted and located the jeep a short time later and Milstein was arrested the following day near to where the jeep was recovered.
During Garda interviews under caution, Milstein did not make any admissions, however she later pleaded guilty after she was charged at Limerick District Court.
Judge Daly said the attack was “extremely violent and harrowing” and the victim “suffered some tough soft tissue injuries and what appears to be serious and lasting psychological trauma”.
“This was a terrible robbery of a vulnerable elderly man that involved a significant level of physical violence,” he said.
“She and her accomplice attacked the victim while he was in a jeep. When (the victim) escaped, they continued their attack, knocking him to the ground, hitting and punching him while he was on the ground and searching through his pockets for the keys to his jeep.”
Judge Daly said Milstein had previous convictions, including two for robbery, two for burglary, and 23 for theft, which he said he regarded as “further aggravating factors”.
Judge Daly said: “She said she had very little memory of this very shameful and disgusting incident due to the level of her intoxication on drugs at the time”.
“However, this is not the case for the victim, for whom the memory of this will live with him for a long time.”
Considering mitigation, the judge took into account Milstein’s plea of guilty, and said a report by the probation services stated Milstein had made “good strides in prison where she has been on remand since March”.
“She is attending education services, has enhanced status, and there is a positive governor’s report.”
Judge Daly said Milstein expressed remorse but “says she has very little recollection of the evening”.
“She says it was an eye opening experience for her regarding her addiction. She comes before the court as a chronic addict and has had mental health difficulties from time to time.”
Milstein pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and to unlawful seizure of the victim’s jeep by force.
Judge Daly imposed concurrent five-year jail sentences with the final year suspended on both counts, as well as a seven-year road ban.
The judge backdated Milstein’s sentence to last March following an application by her barrister, Erin O’Hagan, who informed the court Milstein had been in custody on remand since then.