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

15 January 2026
ShareSave


A male who consistently assaulted a staff member at a bookmakers while already 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 personnel with a knife at a newsagent on Bath Road in the town last September before stealing ₤ 281 in cash and cigarettes.


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


After pleading guilty to one count of possession of a bladed article and two counts of robbery, Hall was sentenced to seven years and nine months at Court on Tuesday.


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


The following day, Gloucestershire Police stated, he was determined, detained and charged however later released on bail by a magistrate.


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


In a victim impact declaration, the team member from the bookies, said following the attack he was "terrified" of working by himself.


'Reliving the attack'


"Mentally this has actually taken a huge toll on me, and I needed to contact a counsellor as I have actually been reliving the attack over and over," he said,


"I do not want this attack to alter my life completely nevertheless I do not understand whether I will have the ability to survive it if I do return to work, I no longer feel safe."


In mitigation, Hall's legal representative said he had experienced mental health conditions following childhood trauma and had actually begun utilizing drugs at a very young age.


He said a drug financial obligation had actually also affected his client's behaviour.


During sentencing, Hall admitted to three extra offenses - consisting of a robbery 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 considered for release on license.