Attempted murderer who attacked and robbed pensioners is locked up again

Jason Scott Roberts was already on a life-licence for an attempted murder back in 2006 when he tried to drown his victim and set him on fire.

But he went on to attack two elderly people.

Following therapy for a dangerous personality disorder he was released from prison last November. But on July 11 this year he attacked two pensioners within an hour of each other.

Mold Crown Court heard how one man in his 70s fought for his life when Roberts tricked his way into his Wrexham flat on the pretence of wanting some sugar.

The elderly man assumed it was a neighbour knocking on the door because entry to the block was controlled by an entry fob and phone system.

The defendant, who had moved into the block, asked for some sugar and said he lived nearby.

But as the victim got some sugar from the kitchen Roberts pointed a 12-inch kitchen knife at him, said “give me your money” and then stole his television at knife-point.

Judge Rhys Rowlands said that the victim acted “with remarkable and commendable courage” and struggled with him, pushing the defendant against the kitchen wall, but suffered a cut to his hand in the process.

The victim later told how he feared for his life and described the defendant as “chillingly calm” and showed no emotion.

Roberts pawned the television so that he could carry on drinking – and then robbed an elderly, disabled woman of her handbag in the graveyard of St Giles' Church in wrexham.

That victim, a visitor to the town, later told police how she had been robbed of her confidence and independence.

Following some “good police work,” Roberts was found in the beer garden of The Old Swan public house where he gave a false name.

The handbag was found in the toilets of The Cross Foxes.

In a full confession he said that he got drunk and committed both offences to get money.

Defending barrister Henry Hills said his client indicated guilty pleas at his first appearance at the magistrates’ court, took responsibility and demonstrated remorse.

The court heard he had previous convictions, including three robberies.

In 2006, at Shrewsbury Crown Court, he was made the subject of public protection prison sentence for attempted murder, arson, robbery and false imprisonment.

He had been invited back to the victim’s home but while the victim was in the shower he threatened him with a knife, held him prisoner, slashed him and tried to kill him by drowning him and electrocuting him with an electric fan in the bath.

He then tied him up, set fire to the bed and tried to suffocate him, said prosecuting barrister Paulinus Barnes.

He was subject to life licence, was released in November and during his period of custody had been diagnosed with a dangerous, severe personality disorder for which he received intensive specialist therapy over a number of years.

Roberts, 38, of Bryn Offa, Wrexham, was jailed for ten years after he admitted aggravated burglary and robbery.