Kaelun Howe, 22, has been jailed for six years and nine months after robbing a William Hill bookmaker at gunpoint in Salford and committing a series of burglaries. He was arrested at Manchester Airport.
Robbery and Burglary Spree
Manchester Crown Court heard that Howe burgled and attempted to burgle several premises in the days leading up to the robbery. On April 24, he arrived at a man's house and pointed a gun at him through the peephole, saying: "I'm going to shoot you." Later that afternoon, he forced his way into the William Hill shop at Salford precinct, armed with what appeared to be a gun but was later identified as a BB gun. The cashier moved into a safe room behind glass before Howe shot at it. He then climbed onto the counter and stole the contents of the till.
Earlier Offences
The court heard Howe's offending began on April 19. A woman on Weaste Lane in Salford was alerted by her Ring doorbell that a man was trying to open her front door. Howe tried to get in before walking away. The next day, on the same road, a man noticed his friend's e-bike had been stolen from a communal area. Ring doorbell footage confirmed Howe was involved. On April 21, Howe entered Edmunds Store in Salford, spoke to a shop worker, left, and returned moments later to remove the till and tip out the contents before running from the store.
Arrest and Sentencing
After the William Hill robbery, Howe went to the Victory Outreach Church, appearing "frantic." He called a friend and said he had "robbed a bookies at Salford precinct" and "robbed a pawn shop." The friend helped book him into a rehabilitation centre in Germany and drove him to Piccadilly railway station. Howe was later arrested at Manchester Airport. He told police: "I can tell you, drugs are the reason I'm going down for 15 years. I had a mental breakdown, so how much am I looking at?"
In a victim impact statement, the William Hill cashier said she has suffered flashbacks and struggles to sleep. She added: "I thought my life was over. I thought he had a real gun and was terrified for my life." James Hudson, defending, said Howe was in a "spiral of chaos" and his mental health was poor. Recorder Alexander Leach KC said: "You describe these offences as a moment of madness. You were in the throes of a mental health crisis."
Howe, of no fixed address, previously pleaded guilty to attempted burglary, burglary, theft, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear, robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and possession of an offensive weapon.
