Knife-wielding Thief Who Attacked Bookies While On Bail Is Jailed

15 January 2026
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A man who repeatedly attacked a worker at a bookmakers while currently out on bail for robbing a newsagents at knifepoint has been jailed for more than 7 years.


Robert Hall, 37, of Wellington Street in Cheltenham, threatened staff with a knife at a newsagent on Bath Road in the town last September before stealing ₤ 281 in money and cigarettes.


Several weeks later on, after being launched on bail, he assaulted a member of personnel at Paddy Power on the High Street and stole ₤ 500 from the till.


After pleading guilty to one count of ownership of a bladed short article and two counts of break-in, Hall was sentenced to 7 years and nine months at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.


CCTV video from 25 September showed Hall in the newsagents brandishing a knife and threatening personnel before stealing money from the till.


The following day, Gloucestershire Police said, he was determined, jailed and charged but later on released on bail by a magistrate.


A month later, on 11 October, Hall was caught on CCTV dragging a member of personnel around behind the counter of a wagering store and punching them in the face and head.


In a victim effect statement, the team member from the bookmakers, said following the attack he was "scared" of working by himself.


'Reliving the attack'


"Mentally this has taken a substantial toll on me, and I needed to get in touch with a counsellor as I have actually been reliving the attack over and over," he stated,


"I do not desire this attack to change my life entirely however I do not understand whether I will be able to make it through it if I do go back to work, I no longer feel safe."


In mitigation, Hall's legal representative stated he had actually suffered with mental health disorders following childhood trauma and had actually begun utilizing drugs at a really young age.


He said a drug financial obligation had actually likewise influenced his client's behaviour.


During sentencing, Hall confessed to three additional offenses - consisting of a break-in at a supermarket in August 2025 - which were considered.


He was ordered to pay a ₤ 228 victims additional charge and need to provide to half of his sentence before being thought about for release on license.