Exonerated Man Jailed After Robbing Three Women in Leeds

A Leeds man previously cleared of involvement in a brutal murder has now been jailed after violently robbing three women in separate incidents last year.

Patrick Mason, 34, appeared at Leeds Crown Court this week, where he admitted two counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery. The attacks, which occurred in November 2024, targeted vulnerable women on the streets of Leeds, leaving lasting emotional and psychological impacts.

Mason had been acquitted in early 2023 of the high-profile murder of Bradley Wall, a case described by prosecutors as an “Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-type killing.” In that case, Mason witnessed the attack but was found not guilty of any involvement after a lengthy trial. The court heard that the trauma of seeing the murder had contributed to Mason’s spiralling mental health and relapse into heavy drug use.

Just months after his release, Mason committed the robberies that led to his current sentence.

One of the victims, a 71-year-old woman, had been shopping with her two young granddaughters when Mason followed her home and attempted to snatch her bag. A security guard had earlier spotted him loitering near the woman inside a store. As she reached her driveway, Mason tried to grab her bag. When her granddaughters ran for help, the bag strap broke, and Mason fled empty-handed.

Two days later, Mason, accompanied by another unidentified man, followed two university students from a McDonald’s in Briggate for more than a mile. When the women reached Bridgewater Place, Mason threatened one of them with a knife, demanding her phone and bag. Though the actual footage did not clearly show him lunging, the woman said she feared for her life and complied with the demand.

The stolen items included high-value electronics and bank cards worth over £2,500. Attempts were made to use the stolen cards in nearby shops, and CCTV captured Mason outside one of the stores.

One victim told the court that the attack had left her traumatized and fearful of going outside. “Before this, I believed the UK was a safe environment, but this has shattered that sense of security,” she said. Her academic work also suffered, as her stolen devices contained necessary coursework.

Mason’s lawyer said he had no memory of the attacks due to drug use and expressed shame for his actions. He added that Mason had suffered childhood trauma and mental health problems and had been deeply affected by witnessing Bradley Wall’s killing.

The court was told that Mason is now clean and remorseful. Despite his troubled past, the judge emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and handed down a prison sentence.