Cheltenham Man Sentenced to Nearly Eight Years for Armed Robberies

A Cheltenham man, Robert Hall, 37, has been sentenced to nearly eight years in prison after admitting to two armed robberies committed in Cheltenham last year, one involving a knife.

On September 25, 2025, Hall threatened a shopkeeper at Premier Stores on Bath Road, brandishing a knife and demanding access to the till with threats to stab the victim. Hall escaped with £119 in cash and 11 packets of cigarettes valued at £162.69.

Although arrested and granted conditional bail two days later, Hall committed a second robbery just two weeks later, violating his curfew. On October 11, around 8:10 pm, he entered a betting shop on Cheltenham High Street and assaulted the staff member while demanding money. CCTV footage revealed a violent attack, with Hall repeatedly punching the victim, who suffered a serious concussion and extensive facial bruising. The victim has not returned to work three months later due to physical and psychological trauma.

Hall’s criminal history includes 17 prior convictions and 13 court appearances since 2006, including a previous robbery with a bladed weapon for which he served three years. The court heard that Hall has long struggled with mental health issues, including anxiety and OCD, alongside substance abuse beginning in his adolescence. Personal setbacks such as the end of a long-term relationship and loss of contact with his daughter triggered a relapse into drugs and alcohol.

During sentencing, Judge Rupert Lowe acknowledged Hall’s remorse and difficult background but emphasized the severity and repeated nature of his crimes. Hall received a sentence of 7 years and 9 months: three years and nine months for the first robbery (including six months for knife involvement, served concurrently), and four years for the second robbery, to be served consecutively. The judge noted that Hall will be eligible for release after serving half of his sentence.

Judge Lowe concluded by urging Hall to build resilience and avoid substance abuse upon release, highlighting the need for him to be there for his young daughter in the future.