Man jailed for robbing couple at Sainsbury's cashpoint

Anthony James Morris, 28, of Eaves Street, North Shore, who is also known as Boris, pleaded guilty to robbing his victim, who was using the machine with his wife on June 30.

Preston Crown Court heard Morris approached them at the cashpoint at Sainsbury’s on Talbot Road, Blackpool, at around 6am.

Karen Brooks, prosecuting, said: “He attended that location intending to withdraw £200. When he had accomplished this task he placed the cash into his trouser pocket. As he was doing this the defendant appeared. He barged into him taking a firm grip on his left arm and he shouted: ‘Give me all the money’.

“The end situation is the victim is punched a number of times. He handed over £20 because he was not sure what else he could do in these circumstances.”

She added: “It’s not minimal force and there is an element of threat.”

He walked away and the couple rang police and made their way home.

The court heard his victim had suffered a sore head and redness.

Morris has 42 convictions for 81 offences, including 37 for theft, one for robbery, five for assault and two involving a weapon.

The robbery put him in breach of a suspended sentence order for theft.

Defending, Julie Taylor said: “He has an appalling record for someone who is still only 28. The background is this – this young man was brought up by a mother who was a drug addict who introduced him to drug use when he was a very young child. He has been addicted to class A drugs since his teenage years. While it’s not an excuse it’s an explanation as to why he was desperate for money.

“He apologises profusely for his behaviour.

“As soon he was handed the cash, even though the victim had withdrawn a larger amount, he left the area. He was under threat from those that supply him drugs.”

She added he had been homeless, jobless and was becoming “institutionalised”.

Recorder Christopher Alldiss said: “Your story is an all too familiar one in these courts.”