Bookies now to blame for armed robbery

It seems that bookmakers are now to blame for two armed robberies, at least according to the robber. Paul Prior was sent down for six years and 5 months at the Glasgow High Court for stealing more than £33000 at gunpoint from security firms in two separate incidents in the city. Firstly in April last year the 36 year old attacked a security guard from the firm Loomis whist he was collecting money from a bar and made off with over £16000 and then he struck again in October, this time on a guard from G4S and that time collected over £18000. On searching Priors home Police found a fake hand gun but despite this he protested his innocence only later to admit the robberies. Prior claimed that gambling debts which had got out of hand was his reason for the robberies and blamed the late opening hours of the bookmakers for his plight. Council for the defendant said that shops were previously only open until 6pm but since later opening was introduced Mr. Prior was effectively betting from dawn until dusk which caused his debts to spiral out of control; added to which his creditors were putting pressure on him to repay their loans. Lord Turnbull said the crimes were committed with “significant menace” and only the fact that he had admitted the offences saved him from what could have been an eight year sentence. It seems bookmakers are to blame for lots of things these days.