Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
12YRS FOR STABBING
Thug jailed over violent raid on pharmacy
A MAN who stabbed a chemist during an attempted robbery to get drugs to feed his addiction has been handed a 12-year sentence.
At Belfast Crown Court yesterday, Patrick Campbell was told he would serve half the term in custody with the remainder on supervised licence on his release.
The 28-year-old, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, possession of a knife, SHAUNA Mcfall and her pony won’t be looking a gift horse in the mouth at the Ould Lammas Fair today.
The popular gathering will once again attract thousands to the seaside town of Ballycastle in Co Antrim during its four days.
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The court heard he committed the offences in Belfast on April 5 and 6 last year. In one incident he entered Mcdonagh’s pharmacy on the Falls Road in West Belfast wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife.
After telling staff, “I want all your Tramadol”, he lunged at one male employee stabbing him in the upper left side of his chest close to his heart.
He also injured another member of staff during a struggle before being restrained until police arrived.
Campbell assaulted a constable while being taken to hospital, where he racially abused staff.
Passing sentence, Judge Geoffrey Miller said the defendant “acknowledges he could easily have caused a fatality” during the crime spree.