A security guard was robbed on his first day at work at a homeless hostel by two of the residents.
The victim was targeted in the security office of the accommodation in Blyth and was put in a headlock and taken to the floor while money was stolen from a safe. Despite attempts to disguise themselves with a dressing gown and hood over their heads, Andrew Dowsett and Josh Kellett were easily identified on CCTV.
Now the pair have each been jailed for 12 months at Newcastle Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery. It took place just after midnight on November 6 last year at the Marlow Lodge hostel, in Blyth.
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Michael Bunch, prosecuting, said: "It was (the security officer's) first day at work when this took place. CCTV shows at the time he was in the security office.
"The two defendants came from Kellett's room and entered the security office. Kellett, who had his hood up, took hold of him and Dowsett had a dressing gown over his head.
"Kellett pulled the victim on the floor with his arm around his neck while Dowsett took the key to the safe in the security room, opened it then took £181 cash."
A security manager said in a victim statement: "They had no right to come in the staff security office, it's supposed to be a safe place and we as staff don't to into their rooms."
Despite their attempts to disguise themselves, the pair were easily identified from the footage as they were living at the hostel. Both later handed themselves in to police in Sunderland.
Dowsett, 32, of no fixed address, who has 12 previous convictions, including for for serious violence and Kellett, 28, of no fixed address, who has 30 previous convictions, including for assault, both pleaded guilty to robbery and were each jailed for 12 months.
Clare Anderson, for Kellett, said his family live in Washington and he used the £60 of the proceeds of the robbery to get a taxi there to see his gran. She added: "He took hold of the complainant and says he was apologising as he was doing it. He didn't want to cause any harm but he wanted some money.
"The conditions were inadequate - there were issues with being fed and he says the hostel has now been closed down becaues of that treatment."
Miss Anderson added that he had witnessed his mother set herself on fire and has mental health issues.
Susannah Proctor, for Dowsett, said: "He says there was a sparsity of food despite the fact they were paying money. He was starving and spent his share of the money on food. He says the establishment has since been closed down.
"He appreciates the fear that would have resulted for the complainant and he regrets his actions." She added that he was previously in the Royal Marines and served in Afghanistan but was forced to leave due to mental health issues.
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