Desperate drug addict jailed for attempting to rob two shops

A "DESPERATE" armed junkie who tried to rob two shops for drugs money has been jailed for 15 months.

Steven Tilbury was armed with a knife when he tried to plunder cash from Cottles Candy Shop and the Martin McColl's newsagent in Midsomer Norton.

Bristol Crown Court heard that, at the newsagent, he even suggested buying some chewing gum so the woman behind the counter could open the till.

Tilbury, 39, of Chilcompton Road in Midsomer Norton, pleaded guilty to two attempted robberies on July 7.

Judge Carol Hagen told him: "The aggravating factors are that a knife was produced, though not brandished.

"There was an element of disguise in that you pulled a hood over your forehead."

Kenneth Bell, prosecuting, said Tilbury walked into Cottles Candy Shop at 9am and told shop worker Bernice Moon: "Let me have the float, I'm desperate."

Ms Moon told him to go elsewhere, the court was told, and he next visited the newsagent where he calmly told Margaret Tinknell: "I want all the money in the till."

Mr Bell said: "She thought it was a joke at first.

"She said 'no' and repeatedly pressed her buzzer.

"The defendant said 'Do I have to buy something? I'll buy some Airwaves.

"I can see you pressing the bell."

When the shop manager appeared Tilbury scarpered on his cycle, Mr Bell said.

A witness recognised him, noticing his drug-ravaged decline.

Tilbury denied all when police first interviewed him.

James Haskell, who asked for his client to be assessed for drug treatment, said: "He pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity.

"This is a man of almost 40 years who has not come before the Crown court before. He has never been remanded in custody before."

Mr Haskell said his client had been an ornamental plasterer for 20 years, but took up landscape gardening with a friend before work halted due to his friend's illness.

The court heard he fell into debt and "foolishly" offended as a result.

Desperate drug addict jailed for attempting to rob two shops

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