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

15 January 2026
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A male who consistently attacked a staff member at a bookmakers while currently out on bail for robbing a newsagents at knifepoint has been jailed for more than seven years.


Robert Hall, 37, of Wellington Street in Cheltenham, threatened personnel with a knife at a newsagent on in the town last September before taking ₤ 281 in cash and cigarettes.


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


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


CCTV video footage from 25 September revealed Hall in the newsagents brandishing a knife and threatening staff before stealing money from the till.


The following day, Gloucestershire Police stated, he was recognized, arrested and charged however later launched 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 consistently in the face and head.


In a victim impact statement, the employee from the bookies, said following the attack he was "afraid" of working by himself.


'Reliving the attack'


"Mentally this has taken a big 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 want this attack to change my life completely nevertheless I do not know whether I will be able to make it through it if I do return to work, I no longer feel safe."


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


He stated a drug debt had likewise influenced his customer's behaviour.


During sentencing, Hall confessed to three additional offenses - including a burglary at a supermarket in August 2025 - which were taken into consideration.


He was purchased to pay a ₤ 228 victims surcharge and must serve up to half of his sentence before being thought about for release on license.