Addict jailed over knife robbery

A drug addict who robbed a bookmakers in Hertfordshire, threatening two women cashiers with a knife, has been jailed for four years and four months.

Matthew Dowsett, 34, of Baron Court, Stevenage, robbed a branch in the town.

His barrister at Luton Crown Court said he had been put under pressure because he owed money to drug dealers.

He admitted theft, two robberies and possession of a knife. Judge Geoffrey Breen said he was given bail to sort a drug problem but offended instead.

When he was on bail awaiting sentence for burglary, he was to have been assessed for a drug treatment order, but failed to show up and was absent when due in court for sentencing.

Threats to children

In April he stole a sum of money from a bookmakers in Stevenage by reaching over the counter and the offence was caught on CCTV.

The knife-point robbery was recorded in the same way.

Stephen Earnshaw, defending, said: "He owed about £1,000 to his drugs suppliers but they were demanding much more.

"They made threats to him reinforced by letting him know they knew where to find his children.

"All his previous offending has stemmed from his drug abuse but the seriousness of this offence is clearly an escalation from anything he has done before."

Judge Geoffrey Breen told him: "You have had a problem with drugs for a very long time but it is a problem you have done nothing about.

"I allowed you to have bail so an assessment could be made for you to receive treatment for your drug addiction.

"You did not co-operate or take advantage of the opportunity given to you and went on to commit further offences."