Kaelun Howe, 22, was jailed for six years and nine months after robbing a Salford bookies at gunpoint and committing a series of burglaries. He was arrested at Manchester Airport.
Spiral of chaos
Manchester Crown Court heard Howe burgled and attempted to burgle several premises in the days before the robbery. In April, he went to a man's house and pointed a gun through the peephole, saying: "I'm going to shoot you."
Later that day, Howe forced his way into William Hill at Salford precinct, armed with what appeared to be a gun but was 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 till contents.
Previous offences
His 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 stolen from a communal area. Ring doorbell footage confirmed Howe's involvement. On April 21, Howe entered Edmunds Store in Salford, removed the till and tipped out the contents before running off.
Robbery and arrest
On April 24, a man at home saw masked Howe pointing a gun through his peephole. Howe said: "I'm going to shoot you," then left and went to William Hill. The cashier ran to a safe room as Howe shot at the glass before taking the till contents. Police identified the weapon as a BB gun.
Later, Howe went to Victory Outreach Church, appearing frantic. He called a friend, saying he had robbed a bookies and a pawn shop, and was "erratic and dancing about," claiming he was followed by a helicopter. The friend booked him into a rehabilitation centre in Germany and drove him to Piccadilly train station.
Arrest and sentencing
Howe was 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?"
The cashier at William Hill said she suffered flashbacks and struggles to sleep, adding: "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" with poor mental health and "genuine shame of his behaviour." 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, 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.
