Bookies' employee mugged of takings

Drug debt was the cause, court hears

A BOOKMAKER’S employee was mugged of the shop’s takings because of a drugs debt, Newbury magistrates heard.

Matthew Peter Axford has since lost his job with the national betting chain.

But his life continued in a downward spiral resulting in him attacking police, indulging in repeated racist harassment and causing damage to a psychiatric hospital, the court was told.

The 24-year-old, of Purley Way, Pangbourne, was told his offending was so serious only a prison sentence was adequate punishment.

However, the court agreed to suspended the sentence.

It is the second time Mr Axford has received such a suspended jail term.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, outlined a range of offences committed by Mr Axford, starting with an attack on police.

He subsequently ended up in a psychiatric unit at Prospect Park Hospital in Tilehurst, where he racially abused medical staff and destroyed property, the court heard on Thursday, May 2.

On another occasion, said Ms Waite, he racially abused door staff at a Newbury nightclub after being refused entry and when police had to restrain him he tried to choke himself with leg restraints.

Mr Axford admitted assaulting a police officer; three counts of racially aggravated harassment; three counts of causing criminal damage and one offence of shoplifting alcohol from the Co-op in Thatcham.

All the offences were committed between July 16 last year and April 10 this year.

He also has numerous prior convictions and has been given a previous suspended prison sentence, said Ms Waite.

Sally Thomson, defending, said her client had been deeply affected by the death of his father and had become involved in drugs, which had led to mental health issues.

She added: “He had been taken on at a local betting shop, but he was robbed of the shop takings in the street. He had been a target due to drug debts.”

Magistrates retired to confer and to read pre-sentence reports before telling Mr Axford there was “no doubt” his offending had passed the custody threshold.

They imposed an 18-week jail sentence, but agreed to suspend it for 18 months.

In addition, Mr Axford was required to complete 30 days’ rehabilitation activity requirement and was ordered to pay £50 each to four of the victims of his violence or his racial abuse.