A man from Salford who assaulted and robbed several young men in Manchester City Centre has been jailed.
Jiri Miko, 27, of Armitage Grove, Worsley, was sentenced to five years and four months in prison on Friday 19 December at Crown Square Court for his involvement in a series of street robberies that left victims with lasting injuries.
Miko and two accomplices were involved in a series of targeted attacks on lone men in the early hours of the morning. The incidents ended with the victims being assaulted and their mobile phones stolen.
His accomplices, Jimi Miko, 29, and Marian Horvath, 26, had already been jailed for involvement in three separate attacks in 2022 that resulted in a fractured eye socket, broken jaw, a fractured skull and lacerations.
Jimi Miko was jailed for six years and four months and Horvath was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after their hearings at Crown Square Court.
Greater Manchester Police explained on 28 April 2022, on Oxford Road, a lone male was grabbed, punched and robbed by Jiri and Jimi.
The blow caused a fractured eye socket requiring hospital treatment. CCTV footage and witness accounts confirm that Jiri initiated the attack and was involved in the theft. Both suspects fled, discarding the stolen bag shortly after.
Then, on 7 May 2022, on Princess Street, Jiri, with Jimi and Horvath, attacked a man while trying to steal his phone.
The victim was kicked to the floor, repeatedly punched, kicked and stamped on in the alcove near Piccolinos, with the group attempting to take the victim’s phone. The group then fled down the street.
The spree of targeted attacks continued later that day when, at the junction of Dickinson Street and Portland Street, the next victim was walking with a friend as Jiri, Jimi, and Horvath approached from behind.
The victim was punched from behind to the floor. This caused his jaw to break into two pieces and he suffered a fracture to his skull and a laceration to the back of his head.
As the victim lay in the recovery position, the group stood over him and threatened the witness. They then stole the victim’s phone and left laughing, showing no remorse.
GMP launched an investigation into the incidents, where a retrospective CCTV trawl was conducted, showing that the offenders remained in Manchester City Centre for hours after the attacks on both nights, which led to their identification
One of the victims explained the effect the attack had on him: “Before the offence, I had anxiety, stress, and epilepsy. I was attacked by three people, suffering facial bruising that needed hospital treatment – it was terrifying.
“The attack has worsened my anxiety, after I stayed indoors for weeks and to this day, I still feel fearful outside.
“The trial has forced me to relive the trauma and suffer triggering seizures.
“While my physical injuries have healed, the psychological impact remains. I hope the defendants understand how deeply this has affected my life.”
PC Ross Smith said: “These were shocking and unprovoked attacks on innocent men who were simply making their way home.
“Miko and his accomplices used violence and intimidation to steal from their victims, leaving them with serious injuries and lasting psychological trauma.
“This sentence sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work tirelessly to bring violent offenders to justice.”
