Man behind terrifying knifepoint robbery at Telford bookies is jailed
A man who robbed a bookmakers at knifepoint, forcing a terrified cashier to run upstairs and lock herself in a room, has been jailed for four years.
Robert Hacking walked into Betfred in Madeley, Telford, brandishing a large bread knife before telling cashier June Chetwood: "If you don't give me the money I will stab you".
She was so terrified she raced upstairs, leaving the till open – and Hacking jumped over the counter before escaping with nearly £200, Shrewsbury Crown Court was told.
The 27-year-old was caught soon after the robbery as he was recognised by several people, having targeted his local bookmakers and only disguising himself with a black woolly hat.
Mr Jonathan Turner, prosecuting, said it happened at the shop in Russell Square at around 2pm on September 19.
"The defendant enters his local bookmakers, to some extent disguised, wearing a black woolly hat," the prosecutor told the court.
"He approached the counter brandishing a large knife.
"He said to the cashier: 'If you don't give me the money I will stab you'.
"She is so scared she leaves the till and races upstairs to lock herself in a room.
"The till was left open, and the defendant jumped over the counter and grabbed its contents, which amounted to £190, before then leaving the area.
"He was recognised by several people and police were pointed in the direction of a flat, where he was found hiding behind a shower curtain and arrested.
"He had half the cash on him."
Hacking, 27, of Willowfield, Woodside, Telford, appeared at court via video link yesterday to plead guilty to charges of robbery and possessing an article with a blade or point.
Mr Paul Smith, for Hacking, said: "Fortunately this wasn't the fiercest of knives, nevertheless it must have been terrifying for the victim.
"Coming out of custody as he was, it was, as this sort of offending so often is, drug related.
"It is his intention to make use of his time in custody so he is able to become drug free and organised in terms of his lifestyle."
Sentencing him, judge Mr Recorder Martin Jackson said: "This is a serious offence.
"People who work in bookmakers are vulnerable and are very often targeted by offenders committing robberies of this sort.
"It must have been an extremely frightening experience, somebody threatening to stab her, brandishing a bread knife.
"She was so frightened she ran away and locked herself in a room, so this is a very serious offence."
