Knife-wielding Thief Who Attacked Bookies While On Bail Is Jailed
15 January 2026
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A guy who consistently attacked an employee at a bookies while already 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 Bath Road in the town last September before stealing ₤ 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 article and 2 counts of robbery, Hall was sentenced to 7 years and 9 months at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.
CCTV video footage from 25 September showed Hall in the newsagents brandishing a knife and threatening staff before stealing money from the till.
The following day, Gloucestershire Police said, he was recognized, apprehended and charged however later released on bail by a magistrate.
A month later, on 11 October, Hall was caught on CCTV dragging a member of staff around behind the counter of a wagering store and punching them consistently in the face and head.
In a victim impact declaration, the staff member from the bookies, said following the attack he was "scared" of working by himself.
'Reliving the attack'
"Mentally this has actually taken a substantial toll on me, and I had to get in touch with a counsellor as I have been reliving the attack over and over," he stated,
"I do not desire this attack to change my life entirely nevertheless I do not understand whether I will be able to get through it if I do go back to work, I no longer feel safe."
In mitigation, Hall's attorney stated he had actually experienced mental health disorders following childhood injury and had started using drugs at an extremely young age.
He stated a drug financial obligation had actually also affected his customer's behaviour.
During sentencing, Hall admitted to three additional offenses - including a robbery at a grocery store in August 2025 - which were taken into factor to consider.
He was bought to pay a ₤ 228 and need to provide to half of his sentence before being thought about for release on license.