Depressed dad jailed over armed robbery
A TROUBLED dad-of-two who committed an armed robbery to get arrested has been jailed for three years.
Jonathan Morse, pictured, was depressed after splitting up with his partner and losing his business, Bristol Crown Court heard.
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Jonathan Morse
He grabbed stockings and a bread knife and, using the hosiery as a disguise, raided £60 from two tills at the McColls shop in Keynsham.
Morse, 43, of Lyndhurst Road, Keynsham, pleaded guilty to robbery in November.
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Judge Julian Lambert told him: "On November 2 this year you completely took leave of your senses, committing a knifepoint robbery at a small shop. You appreciate the deep and terrible distress you caused."
James Ward, prosecuting, said Morse had admitted taking the knife for the heist in order to be taken seriously.
He said how Morse screamed "Give me the money out the till" at terrified Kristian Heaton, as he plundered sums of £15 and £45 from two tills.
The court heard Mr Heaton was able to press the shop's panic button and police scrambled to the scene.
Mr Ward said: "Police saw the defendant running away and stopped him. He said 'Yes, I've done it'.
"He opened his jacket and showed them a knife.
"He said 'I know I had a knife but I would not have hurt them'."
Mr Ward said Morse's taking of the knife showed his naivety in the venture but also his lack of appreciation of how it would affect others.
James Tucker, defending, said his client was genuinely remorseful and had managed to stop taking cocaine before the incident.
He said Morse had suffered personal problems which caused his emotional condition to rapidly decline.
Though Morse had been prescribed with anti-depressants he carried out the raid only two days after, the court heard.
Comments
by Mikeydooley
Thursday, December 27 2012, 2:35AM
“His brother got life for child killing”
by Morrissey9
Monday, December 17 2012, 2:19PM
“Well same goes for all crimes, Big Gregory, but we don't generally decide sentencing based on how scared the victim was. I just thought robbery at knifepoint generally got a lower sentence, especially given the circumstances. Good if things are changing though.”
by ANDYJRM
Monday, December 17 2012, 1:57PM
“Worst armed robber ever.
What a d*ck.”
by Big_Gregory
Monday, December 17 2012, 1:06PM
“I'm sure the person going about their daily business being confronted by a knife wielding, masked robber would think 3 years is not enough and wouldn't describe themselves of having been victims of a 'minor crime'.”
by Morrissey9
Monday, December 17 2012, 12:39PM
“Wow, 3 years for a minor amount of cash, noone injured and significant mitigating factors. Not that I am on his side or condone the crime at all, but don't you generally see much lower sentences for holding up a newsagents?”
by welliedog2
Monday, December 17 2012, 12:26PM
“3 years in prison for nicking £60 quid.
I hope it was worth it Mr Heaton.
You idiot.”
by Mikeydooley
Sunday, December 16 2012, 11:05PM
“Hold on is this man related to Timothy the swine who was responsible for the horror of killing Daniel Hadley”
by katachua
Saturday, December 15 2012, 1:58PM
“"The court heard Mr Heaton was able to press the shop's panic button and police scrambled to the scene."
I'd have paid good money to see that. What the writer means is "police were scrambled to the scene".”
by bokbok
Saturday, December 15 2012, 1:23PM
“3 poxy years?”
by vrwrtuy
Saturday, December 15 2012, 7:26AM
“Personal problems, anti-depressants etc etc
How about personal responsibility.”