Posted on 11/12/2005 9:46:52 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
11/11/2005 - Dad of 15 jailed for shop raid
Robber threatened trader with fake gun
A DRUG dealing father of 15 children who robbed and threatened a 64-year-old shop worker with a fake gun, has been thrown behind bars.
Tony Richards, from Coley Park, grabbed cash and gold jewellery from pensioner Margaret Chede’s Whitley Street shop in Reading on April 23.
Reading Crown Court heard the 55-year-old went into Sphere Communications at 10am, shortly after Mrs Chede opened up, and pointed the weapon at her, saying: “Give me all the money you have here.”
Unsatisfied with the change she handed over, Richards demanded more and snatched a handful of gold chains before running off. But plucky Mrs Chede chased after him, shouting: “He’s a thief, he’s a thief.”
Prosecutor John Simmons told the court Richards’ weapon was an imitation gun, which the defendant said someone else had given him.
It has never been recovered.
Police identified Richards, whose children range in age from one to 36, from the store’s CCTV footage but Richards made no comment after his arrest.
He initially denied a charge each of robbery and having a firearm with intent, but later admitted the robbery, based on the fact he had a gun, Mr Simmons said.
The Crown accepted his pleas and offered no evidence on the firearm charge, which was ordered to lie on the file.
Richards, of Wensley Road, also earlier admitted two counts of possessing a class A drug with intent to supply after police raided a house in Waldeck Street in South Reading on November 23 last year.
Twenty-one wraps of crack cocaine and heroin were found stuffed in his socks.
Graeme Logan, defending, said Richards admitted the drugs matters at the earliest opportunity and that the house was raided during a birthday party attended by Richards and his friends.
“The friends had pooled money for the drugs and Richards had gone to purchase the drugs and he had them at the time,” he said.
“This was not a street dealing enterprise, this was a party where he had foolishly accepted he would be the one to get the drugs for the friends at the party for them all to use.
“He’s a man who doesn’t seek to hide behind offending behaviour – he volunteered the drugs in his socks when police arrived.”
Sentencing, Mr Recorder Riza, QC, said it was “a very serious criminal offence to use an imitation firearm to scare this lady in her shop” but understood Richards was remorseful.
He added: “I have taken into account your good character and find it astonishing someone at your age should engage in this kind of crime.”
Of the drug dealing, the Recorder accepted it was not done in the street for commercial reasons but with friends at a party.
He sentenced him to four years for the robbery and two years and eight months for the two drugs charges, to be served concurrently.
He said the 191 days Richards had spent in custody was taken into account during sentence.
He should be neutered.
A few months later he's out on the street and robbing little old ladies with a gun HE says was fake but that can't be proven since the gun disappeared. Now the court says it's taking into account his "good character"?? What did I miss?? He robbed the little old lady on bet from one of his crackhead party friends?
And this POS has 15 mini-hims running around?? Good lord!
Is there a male versionm of Norplant?
I think it should be mandatory for women to use norplant if they get AFDC.
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