Bristol man jailed after pleading guilty to three knife point robberies
The incidents happened back in May this year - over a six day period
A man who threatened people at knife point and made off with hundreds of pounds in cash has been jailed - after pleading guilty to all six counts against him.
They happened over a six day period back in May, with the judge sentencing calling him a dangerous offender.
Yesterday (21 September), 43-year-old Marcus Laing from Rodney Road in Bristol was jailed for nine years for three counts of robbery - and three counts of possessing a bladed article.
He will also spend an extra five years on licence following the incidents, which happened on three different occasions - starting back on May 18 - when Laing entered two businesses and a home with a knife and made off with money.
During the first incident, Laing went into a convenience store on Forest Road, in Bristol, where he threatened a member of staff with a kitchen knife after walking straight behind the counter.
Laing demanded the staff member to open the till, and he made off with cash - leaving the victim terrified.
Two days later, at a home in Burchells Green Close, Bristol, he threatened a woman in her 30s, and made off with the money.
Finally, on Tuesday 23 May, he went into a bank on Fishponds Road when it opened at 9.30am, where he threatened two bank tellers with a knife - demanding that they open the tills.
He made off on an e-scooter, leaving staff and customers terrified and causing the bank to close for the rest of the day.
It was on the day of the third robbery that officers had caught up with Laing.
Officer in the case, DC Laurence Castle from the Operation Remedy team, said: "The three robberies Laing committed were over a five day period.
"They were terrifying ordeals for the victims and members of the public to witness them.
"Following the robberies, police were able to obtain CCTV of Laing returning to his home address after each incident and he was arrested during the evening of the third incident on Tuesday 23 May.
"Officers who searched Laing after his arrest found him in possession of distinctive Scottish banknotes which he had stolen earlier that day from the bank in Fishponds Road.
"While, thankfully, there were no injuries caused by Laing, his use of a knife to threaten innocent members of the east Bristol community, who were otherwise going about their day, cannot be tolerated.
"The sentence handed to him today reflects the incredibly serious and harmful nature of the offences.
"We hope this sends a clear message to anyone thinking about committing these crimes that we will not stand for it and they will be found and brought to justice."
In his sentencing remarks, HHJ Picton, described Laing's 'terrible record' which 'dated back decades.
He added: "In May this year, you stopped caring about anything else other than your desire to get drugs.
"These incidents had an impact on all concerned. There is a significant risk of you committing further offences."