Armed robber is jailed for six years

David James Brown, 25, claimed he carried out the two knifepoint raids because he wanted money to buy a gun so that he could kill himself, a court heard.

The 25-year-old, of Glyn Awel, Clatter, near Caersws, admitted carrying out two robberies at a time when he was on bail for an affray at his home.

Judge Niclas Parry said Brown had armed himself with two knives at his home and threatened two police officers who were there simply to check on his welfare.

While on bail for that offence, he went out and committed two robberies on November 2, last year, at Bradley's Garage in Llanidloes and the Spar in Caersws, causing fear to staff.

Judge Parry said: "You targeted vulnerable premises. By their very nature they have light security and they are invariably staffed by females. They serve the public but are vulnerable, and the court must protect them."

He had petrified one of his victims, had brandished weapons and issued threats, Judge Parry said. He said he took into account that the defendant was at the time suffering mental health instability but that was partly because he had failed to take his medication.

Prosecutor Emmalyne Downing told Mold Crown Court that the affray on October 1 occurred when police attended his home to check on his welfare and he answered the door covered in blood.

He was bare chested, was armed with two knives, he was abusive to police and swore at them. The defendant threw a knife at one officer and at one stage held a knife to his own throat.

He threatened to get a gun to shoot them, invited them to shoot him and said he wanted to die.

Police were concerned for their safety because he was so erratic and violent.

He eventually surrendered and was taken to hospital but there was a struggle and he had to be restrained.

Inside, police found two notes saying "sorry I am dead" and "I am sorry" – the second one appeared to be written in blood.

When police arrested him for the robberies he told them he wanted to die and wanted to go to prison.

Mark Connor, defending, said that his client was clearly "in a very bad place indeed" at the time. He had mental health difficulties and had not taken his medication. Brown was full of remorse or what he had done, he added.

Brown appeared for sentence via a live link from custody.