Woman gets prison time for beating, robbing elderly neighbor

YOUNGSTOWN — A 38-year-old woman who robbed her 84-year-old neighbor of $1,000 after hitting him on his head and left hand with his wooden cane has been sentenced to six years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Belinda Kennedy, formerly of Flo-Lor Drive, who had earlier pleaded guilty to robbery, drew the sentence today from Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Robert J. Andrews, an assistant county prosecutor, urged the judge to impose prison time because of the nature of the offense, the age of the victim and the prior relationship of trust between Kennedy and the victim, James McBride. Andrews, however, did not recommend a specific amount of prison time.

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