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

15 January 2026
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A man who repeatedly attacked a staff member at a bookies while already out on bail for robbing a newsagents at knifepoint has actually been jailed 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 taking ₤ 281 in money and cigarettes.


Several weeks later, after being released 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 belongings of a bladed post and two counts of robbery, Hall was sentenced to 7 years and 9 months at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.


from 25 September showed Hall in the newsagents displaying a knife and threatening staff before taking cash 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 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, stated following the attack he was "afraid" 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 said,


"I do not want this attack to alter my life completely however I do not know 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 attorney said he had actually experienced psychological health conditions following childhood injury and had actually started using drugs at an extremely young age.


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


During sentencing, Hall admitted to 3 extra offenses - including a burglary at a grocery store in August 2025 - which were considered.


He was ordered to pay a ₤ 228 victims surcharge and should provide to half of his sentence before being considered for release on license.