A man who robbed a newsagents he visited everyday without a disguise was branded 'stupid' by a judge who jailed him for four years.
James Stephen Hobbs, 20, of Higher Croft in Eccles, made off with £80 after threatening a shop keeper who had known him for years with a large knife.
After going into the shop in Eccles to buy cigarettes, as he did every day, on October 24 last year he threatened the man with a large knife to steal £80.
Who else has been locked up in March? Sentences and photogallery
After the shop keeper was able to identify Hobbs in a video identity parade, he was charged with robbery and possessing an offensive weapon and released on bail.
But the following day, November 14, Hobbs attempted to carry out another robbery at a newsagent in Boothstown.
He entered the store and brandished a machete at the shopkeeper and his young son, who was also in the shop at the time.
But this time the shopkeeper fought back and after a struggle chased Booth off the premises.
At Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, February 25, Hobbs was sentenced to two concurrent four year sentences after pleading guilty to robbery, attempted robbery and two charges of possessing an offensive weapon.
Jacincta Stringer, defending, said Hobbs was of previous good character but had been forced to carry out the robberies after being threatened by drug dealers to whom he owned money.
Drug addict
After becoming a drug addict, the dealers told him he 'would be put in the boot of a car' if he did not commit the robberies and hand over the cash.
Hobbs was also said to be 'a man young for his years', who was vulnerable and had suffered bullying at school and college.
But in sentencing him, the judge said: "It does not matter what your purpose was in wanting that money.
"How stupid you were, going into a shop without a mask where you were known to the shopkeeper.
"Within 24 hours of being charged and bailed you had committed the second robbery.
"This is a tragedy for you and your parents."
Who else has been locked up in March? Sentences and photogallery
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Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All
Dzenko, Manchester (04/03/2010 at 15:42)
The Realist SW14 (04/03/2010 at 15:44)
FACT (in my personal opinion)
J smith (04/03/2010 at 15:44)
Leon Trotsky (04/03/2010 at 15:55)
You forget!.....4 and a half years IS a life sentence in NuLiarbours Britain!!
Pandora (04/03/2010 at 16:07)
Ledbury Lad (04/03/2010 at 16:43)
canonball, inside the helmet (04/03/2010 at 16:44)
h4rsh, M25, manchester (04/03/2010 at 17:31)
I'm not condoning what this pr4t did, but the sentence seems a bit odd. The girls that battered the asian girl, leaving animprint of her ring in her face, in a park in Rochdale got less.
Now and again, one can assume the ears may have got the real sentance, but was it the spots on this occassion?
MPs gravy train, UK (04/03/2010 at 17:37)
Maybe Gordi can do a deal with the Afghans. Ooops
Peejay, Eccles, Manchester (04/03/2010 at 17:59)
PW, Manchester (04/03/2010 at 19:54)
Lancashire 4ever, Pendlebury, Manchester, Lancashire (04/03/2010 at 21:19)
MAN-KEY-UNION, MANCHESTER (04/03/2010 at 22:58)
jimroyle (04/03/2010 at 23:06)
Whats this, the judge giving advice on how to rob shops?
Surely he can be done for "conspiracy to rob"
Jim Wythenshawe
Belrock, England (05/03/2010 at 01:03)
Leon Trotsky (05/03/2010 at 07:12)
Yeh right!!, that's what they all say!
"I wonder if he has had any support from the Police or authorites with regard this crime , instead of just sending him to prison to associate with other criminals. There is something sad about these events."
The only support this scumbag needs is that given by the prison service. He should be sowing mailbags or some other derisory duty like cleaning the toilets, but no doubt he will get TV, X-box, and a host of other luxuries while inside at our expense.
It's a liberal socialist outlook like yours that leads to the uncontrolled breeding of scum like this!
Portuguese Man of War, from somewhere won't see me until it is too late. (05/03/2010 at 08:27)
Anne Coates, Jersey Street (05/03/2010 at 08:28)
Andanotherthing, Mcr (05/03/2010 at 08:44)
Goes on to say did the crimes to back drug dealers. Not that good a character then.
Di Hulme (05/03/2010 at 13:38)
Ignoramus, Manchester (05/03/2010 at 15:41)
Why?
Andanotherthing, Mcr (05/03/2010 at 18:35)
Ignoramus, Manchester
Because if he had character, he would not have made the shopkeeper a victim of his stupidity. A good character pays their own debt.
blizzard, Midlands (05/03/2010 at 18:45)
blizzard, Midlands (05/03/2010 at 18:46)
It may be 34/35 yrs but it will never be 37yrs., Mossley (06/03/2010 at 03:19)
Anyone who carries a weapon of some sort especially to use needs remanding not let loose to terrorise again, the police got off lightly here.