Drunk thief terrorised arcade staff
CITY CENTRE CASINO WAS TARGETED THREE TIMES BY ROBBER
A DRUNKEN thief who repeatedly targeted a city-centre amusement arcade for cash has been jailed.
Paul Hurst left female workers at Admiral Casino, on Clayton Street in Newcastle, terrified during a spate of offences.
A court heard the first happened on October 24 last year at around 6pm when the duty manager left a cash drawer unattended briefly and Hurst stole £200 from it.
Then, on November 6 at 9.15pm, things took a more sinister turn when he turned up again and demanded of the female manager “Give me the f****** money”.
He grabbed two pots containing £390 and struggled with the woman as he robbed the arcade.
Joe Hedworth, prosecuting, said: “She recognised him and tried to stop him but he would not let go.
“He hit her with his left elbow in the struggle which caused her to let go and he ran out.
“She suffered a sore chest and felt frightened and intimidated.”
On November 14 about 5.15pm, Hurst was back at Admiral Casino and tried to carry out another robbery.
A different female duty manager, who knew about the previous incidents, told him he was barred but he ignored her.
He appeared very drunk, mentioned money and was told there was none.
Mr Hedworth added: “He said ‘I just want the money’ and pulled the handle on the cash drawer and she pulled his hand away.
“He grabbed her arm and pushed her backwards.
“There was a struggle and he tried to punch her but missed. He continued to struggle with her and she shouted for help.
“Two men came in to help and the defendant then left and walked off.” The victim said in a statement: “I should not have to expect to fight to protect the shop’s earnings.”
In January another member of the arcade spotted him in the city centre, recognised him and alerted police.
He told police he could not remember carrying out the offences and could not believe he had behaved like that.
Hurst, 56, of Egrich House, North Shields, admitted theft, robbery and attempted robbery and was jailed for three years. Judge Christopher Prince told him: “I have no doubt it is your continued drinking which led you to commit these offences to obtain money to obtain more alcohol.” The court heard his previous convictions include robbery but he has only one conviction for common assault in the past decade.
Vic Laffey, defending, said Hurst was an alcoholic and was drunk but has since made efforts to address his addiction.
I have no doubt it is your continued drinking which led you to commit these offences Judge Christopher Prince