West Bromwich convenience store snatch thief jailed for over two years
A frightening snatch thief, who forced two women in two days to quit their jobs after targeting shops where they worked, has been locked up for more than two years.
Mark Taylor struck at the One Stop convenience store in Throne Road, Rowley Regis on May 1, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
The 53-year-old bought a chocolate bar and grabbed £300 cash from the till while waiting for his change, revealed Miss Joanne Barker, prosecuting.
The next day he did exactly the same at the chain's branch in Dudley Port, Tipton, this time escaping with £150 after a short struggle during which the cashier managed to jam his hand in the till, the court was told.
Taylor was recognised on CCTV footage of the incidents and arrested on May 3.
He said the stolen money had been spent on cocaine but insisted he was not a drug addict.
The two shop assistants serving him when the money was stolen were both so shaken by the experience that they handed in their notice, revealed Miss Barker.
One explained: "I keep thinking people are going to attack me and cannot work in a constant state of panic."
Mr Christopher O'Gorman, defending, said Taylor, from Grange Road, West Bromwich, had 'turned his back on everything that had been good in his life' after losing contact with his children following the collapse of his second marriage.
The defendant, who had 21 previous convictions involving 40 separate offences, admitted the two thefts and was sent to prison for two years four months.
Judge John Wait told him: "Two ladies have had to give up their jobs because of your selfish pursuit of money."
