Jail for man who attacked elderly ATM user

The man who pleaded guilty to assaulting and robbing an elderly man on a Sydney street has been jailed for two and a half years.

In November 2017 a 78-year-old man, who wishes to be referred to as Jim, was withdrawing money from an ATM on Greenfield Parade at Bankstown in Sydney's south-west when he was attacked. 

Jim, a former weight-lifter, was left injured, scared to walk the streets and out of pocket to the tune of $500. 

In sentencing, the defence argued that attacker Hong Dung Pham, who has a history of ice and opiate use, was having a schizophrenic episode at the time. 

The defence claimed Pham had been hearing voices and the attack was simply opportunistic.

However, Pham had gone off his medication prior to the incident.

It was decided that due to his history of prior offences and understanding of his mental illness that it was inescapable to conclude that he must have been aware that by going off his medication he was increasing the risk that he would offend in a violent way. 

He was sentenced to a maximum of two years and six months behind bars.

With time served, Pham will be eligible for parole in 2019.