Robber fell asleep in park after threatening to kill shop staff (From Daily Echo)

Darren Case threatened to kill shop staff and then fell asleep in Southampton park

10:40am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in Crime

A GAMBLING addict stole about £3,600 from a safe in a Southampton city centre shop after forcing his way into the staff room.

Darren Case had spent a loan playing fruit machines at the premises in Pound Tree Road.

Prosecutor Rachel Robertson said he later knocked on the staff room door and when it was opened, he forced his way inside, telling two women: “Give me all your money or I’ll smash you.”

After taking the cash, mostly in coins, he demanded: “Don’t raise the alarm for about five minutes or I’ll kill you. I know where you live.”

Case, who had been drinking, dropped some money as he ran off before falling asleep in Hoglands Park.

After confessing to his partner, he surrendered at the police station, telling them they were probably looking for him as he had done something stupid.

Case, of Defender Walk, Southampton, admitted robbing Quicksilver and was jailed for 12 months.

In mitigation, Leah Dillon said his memory of what had happened was virtually nonexistent.