Six years jail for bookies robber who threatened to give staff HIV
A drugged up robber, who threatened to give staff and punters HIV as he raider a bookmakers' for the second time in five weeks, was starting a six year eight month prison sentence today.
Blaine Powell struck first at the shop in Union Street, Wednesbury on October 30 - 24 hours after magistrates had given him a suspended sentence for theft.
The 31-year-old burst in armed with a six inch long knife and warned Jamie Jones, who was working alone at the time: 'Empty the tills or I will stab you,' a judge heard.
The raider collected £400 cash and, while leaving the premises, told the member of staff and lone customer that he would knife them if they tried to follow.
Mr Paul Spratt, prosecuting, informed Wolverhampton Crown Court: "It was all over in four minutes but it must have felt like an eternity to Mr Jones."
Powell returned to the bookmakers on December 1 at 6.15pm, around the same time as the earlier raid. On this occasion the drug addict was clutching a syringe.
Mr James was on duty on his own again and had two punters in the shop when the intruder announced in a loud voice that if anyone got in his way they would be stabbed with the needle which he alleged was HIV positive.
The defendant leapt over the counter and took a total of £500 from three tills before escaping, the court heard. He was arrested the following day after being recognised on CCTV footage of the robberies.
Mr Jason Aris, defending Powell, who had previous convictions involving 55 separate offences, said: "He is very embarrassed and ashamed by what he did. He is also worried that he will become institutionalised in prison."
The defendant, of no fixed address, admitted two robberies, possession of both a knife and pointed needle together with a breach of a suspended sentence.
He was jailed by Judge Amjad Nawaz, who branded him as posing a dangerous risk to the public which means he must serve two thirds of the prison sentence before being considered for parole and will be monitored for four years longer than normal on release.
The judge observed: "This bookmakers shop must have been deliberately targeted in offences committed to fund your drug addiction."
