Ex-prisoner robs bookies just to get back into jail

Martin Kilpatrick, 43, achieved his aim when he was locked up for at least three years and six months.

Durham Crown Court heard how he entered the city branch of betting chain Coral carrying a hammer, on the evening of August 22, last year.

He told the male assistant: "I've just got out of jail and I'm not coping very well. Just give me the money from the till."

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, said he was handed £90 and, after ushering the assistant into a toilet, left the North Road premises.

Within minutes, he approached a policeman, saying: "Are you looking for me? I've just done Coral's," presenting the officer with the hammer and money.

He later said, in interview, that he came to Durham by bus, feeling unwell.

While walking round the city riverbanks, Kilpatrick said he formed the idea of committing the robbery, because he wanted to go back to jail.

The court was told he had been released from a five-year prison sentence, for robbery at a Middlesbrough branch of Ladbrokes bookmakers, a few months earlier.

Kilpatrick, of King Street, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, was convicted of the latest robbery following a trial at the court, last December.

His barrister, Chris Morrison, said that despite his not guilty plea at trial, "it does seem he carried out the offence to get back into prison".

Mr Morrison said that after his release from the previous sentence he found work, but was dismissed from the job only days before coming to Durham to carry out the betting shop raid.

Judge Richard Lowden said it appeared Kilpatrick could not cope to life outside, and must now be considered a danger to the public, after repeating his earlier crime.

He therefore imposed an indeterminate sentence, under legislation which only came into force last year.

Judge Lowden recommended that he should spend at least three-and-a-half years in jail, before the parole board can consider if it is safe to release him.