Knifeman in raid on Telford bookies is jailed for four years

Kevin Riedel threatened a frightened member staff at the Corals branch before escaping with £440 from the till in July this year.

Incredibly, despite being arrested and bailed for the first raid, 46-year-old Riedel attempted to rob the betting shop on The Parade at Donnington for a second time less than a month later.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court today Judge Robin Onions said the robbery was premeditated and aggravated by using a knife and wearing a mask.

Riedel, of Cordingly Way, Donnington, admitted robbery, possession of a knife and attempted robbery, and breach of community orders imposed for shoplifting and was jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Mr Ian Ball, prosecuting, said that Riedel went to the betting shop early on July 2 wearing a white pillow case with holes cut for the eyes armed with a knife.

He was holding a black bin liner which contained a baseball bat and told shop assistant Chris Hill to 'just give me the money'.

Riedel then demanded that Mr Hill should open the safe, but the victim took £440 in cash from a till which Riedel scooped up in his hands and fled.

Riedel was seen in the area and police found the bin liner and obtained DNA from the baseball bat which matched the defendant.

Mr Ball said Riedel was questioned and denied being involved in the robbery and was bailed while forensic tests were completed.

But on July 29, Riedel was back wearing a hood and armed with a piece of wood.

"He was rattling the door and walking up and down outside," said Mr Ball.

Police were called and the defendant was found nearby.

Riedel, who has drug and alcohol problems and mental health issues, said he intended to move away from the people he had been mixing with in Telford. He apologised to the shop staff.

By Arthur Mills