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

15 January 2026
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A guy who repeatedly assaulted a worker at a bookmakers while currently out on bail for robbing a newsagents at knifepoint has been imprisoned for more than seven years.


Robert Hall, 37, of Wellington Street in Cheltenham, threatened staff with a knife at a newsagent on Bath Road in the town last September before stealing ₤ 281 in money and cigarettes.


Several weeks later on, after being released on bail, he assaulted 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 break-in, Hall was sentenced to seven years and nine months at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.


CCTV footage from 25 September revealed Hall in the newsagents brandishing a knife and threatening personnel before stealing cash from the till.


The following day, Gloucestershire Police said, he was identified, apprehended and charged but later released on bail by a magistrate.


A month later, on 11 October, Hall was captured on CCTV dragging a member of personnel around behind the counter of a wagering store and punching them repeatedly in the face and head.


In a victim effect statement, the personnel member from the bookmakers, said following the attack he was "afraid" of working by himself.


'Reliving the attack'


"Mentally this has taken a huge 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 alter my life completely however I do not know whether I will be able to get through it if I do return to work, I no longer feel safe."


In mitigation, Hall's attorney stated he had suffered with psychological health disorders following youth injury and had actually begun using drugs at an extremely young age.


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


During sentencing, Hall confessed to 3 additional offences - including a burglary at a grocery store in August 2025 - which were taken into account.


He was purchased to pay a ₤ 228 victims surcharge and must dish out to half of his sentence before being considered for on license.