A prolific crook who brandished a hypodermic needle as he robbed a Carlisle convenience store worker has heard he will receive a prison sentence for the crime.
Peter Martin Vickers, 44, faced two serious charges when he appeared at the city’s crown court over a video link this morning.
During a short hearing, Vickers pleaded guilty to robbing a female shop worker of around £200.
He further admitted having an offensive weapon — a hypodermic needle — in a public place, Newlaithes Avenue, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.
Both charges arises out of a robbery which occurred at the Foreways convenience store at Newlaithes Avenue on November 24 last year.
Judge Nicholas Barker adjourned the case for several weeks after hearing there were a number of “outstanding matters” which meant it could not proceed straight to sentence.
These include further CCTV footage and victim impact statement evidence.
Judge Barker ordered the preparation of a probation service pre-sentence report in the meantime, although he said to Vickers’ barrister: “It is not going to consider sentencing options because both you and I know — and Mr Vickers will appreciate — that the only option the court has in a case of this sort is a custodial disposal.”
In view of his large number of previous offences, the report will assess “dangerousness”: whether Vickers poses a significant risk of causing serious harm to members of the public through the commission of further crimes.
He is due to be sentenced by a judge for the robbery on February 4, and will remain in custody until that date.
