Moment armed robber starts CRYING while holding up shopkeeper with a knife as he is jailed for three years
- Jessie Hall has been sentenced to three years in jail following an armed robbery
- The knife-wielding teen threatened workers at a store before bursting into tears
- Hall suffered mental health problems and claimed to be suicidal, the court heard
- He stole with £400 and caused £2500 in damage during a standoff with police
An emotional robber who started to cry during an armed shop raid has been jailed for three years.
Jessie Hall produced a knife and threatened to stab terrified workers at a Spar store and then broke down in tears.
The 19-year-old raider took around £400 from one of the tills and caused £2,500 damage during a rooftop standoff with police, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Michael Bunch told the court Hall had gone into the shop in Blyth, Northumberland, last November, picked up a sandwich, some beer and asked for scratchcards.
Jessie Hall, 19, has been handed three years in prison following an armed robbery at a shop
Hall suffered mental health issues and claimed to be suicidal, his defence lawyer said
‘At that point he produced a knife and demanded money from the till,’ he added.
Mr Bunch said the weapon was ‘waved about’ as Hall made demands and added: ‘He made threats if money was not forthcoming he would stab the two members of staff.’
The court heard one worker had already cashed up for the night but the other handed his till drawer, containing around £400 in takings, over the counter.
Mr Bunch added: ‘He appeared to become distressed toward the end, starting to cry, telling the staff he was sorry.
‘He explained his mother and grandfather had died and he was sick of his life and needed the money.’
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Hall looked ‘distressed’ before apologising to staff
Hall helped himself to some confectionery before he left the shop. The court heard both shopworkers were left traumatised by their ordeal.
One said: ‘This will take me some time to get over, no-one should go to work and be held at knifepoint.’
The other said: ‘It is the first time I have been threatened by someone with a knife. I won’t forget the words “I’m going to stab you”.’
The court heard police tracked Hall to an address at Fifth Avenue in the town and the door was answered by Hall’s mother, while he climbed up onto the roof top and threw down tiles, causing damage to property and cars.
Hall, of Southend Avenue, Blyth, admitted robbery, possessing a bladed article, affray and criminal damage.
The teenager was captured threatening shop workers with a knife before bursting into tears
Judge Tim Gittins sentenced him to three years behind bars. The judge told him: ‘No-one should have to suffer facing a knife when they are simply doing their work, especially someone doing a public service of keeping a local shop going.’
Nigel Hedley, defending, said Hall claimed to be suicidal when he climbed onto the roof and has mental health problems.
Mr Hedley said: ‘He was crying when he was in the store, he was crying when actually committing the offence. It appeared to be in desperation.’