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

15 January 2026
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A man who consistently assaulted an employee 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 cash and cigarettes.


Several weeks later, after being launched 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 burglary, Hall was sentenced to seven years and nine months at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.


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


The following day, Gloucestershire Police said, he was determined, jailed and charged but later launched 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 store and punching them repeatedly in the face and head.


In a victim effect statement, the team member from the bookies, stated following the attack he was "terrified" of working by himself.


'Reliving the attack'


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


"I do not desire this attack to alter my life totally however I do not understand whether I will have the ability to make it through it if I do return to work, I no longer feel safe."


In mitigation, Hall's lawyer said he had suffered with psychological health disorders following youth trauma and had drugs at a really young age.


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


During sentencing, Hall admitted to 3 extra offenses - including a break-in at a supermarket in August 2025 - which were taken into account.


He was bought to pay a ₤ 228 victims additional charge and should dish out to half of his sentence before being considered for release on license.