ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A man who robbed and beat a 66-year-old Pinellas County Army veteran was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison.
Two years ago, police arrested Harold Stewart, then 36, for robbing the man and beating him with his own walker in a Walmart parking lot.
During Monday's hearing, a judge described Stewart as a "violent career criminal" with a record dating back to when he was 17 years old.
Before sentencing, Stewart again proclaimed his innocence.
"I am innocent, I did not do it," he told the court.
The judge also ordered him to pay $700 in restitution to the victim.
The victim, Jeffrey Hardeman, was walking toward the Walmart on 34th Street N. when Stewart approached him and asked for the time.
Prosecutors said Stewart put Hardeman in a choke hold, threw him to the ground and punched him. He also used Hardeman's walker to hit him.
Stewart then took Hardeman's wallet, cash and other personal items and drove away.
Hardeman spoke Monday in court before the sentencing and said he now fears to walk at night and no longer walks anywhere alone.
"You don't think it's going to happen to you," he said. "I just hope he's not back on the streets...to hurt anyone else."
The case drew attention and sympathy from many in the community. A few days after the attack, a man donated $600 to the St. Petersburg Police Department for Hardeman. The donor only identified himself as Tom and left an envelope with this note:
"From 1 vet to another, hope this makes things better."
A jury found Stewart guilty of robbery and battery of a person over age 65.
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