Dusthead gets 10 years as robbery victim battered and man stabbed outside Co-op

Dusthead Samuel Austin has been jailed for 10 years. The 28-year-old was sentenced after committing a catalogue of crimes including robbing and battering a man, in Wade Street, Burslem; stabbing a man in a pre-arranged fight outside The Co-op, in Keelings Road, Northwood; dealing monkey dust; and breaking into a garage, on Ford Green Road, in Norton.

Austin, of St Nicholas Avenue, Norton, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of monkey dust; burglary; possessing an offensive weapon, affray; inflicting grievous bodily harm; and robbery.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the dad-of-three had wanted to join the Parachute Regiment. But he was involved in a car accident and broke his legs a week before he was due to start his training.

Paul Cliff, mitigating, said: "He began to use monkey dust. It had awful consequences for his mental health and his life became increasingly chaotic."

Recorder Robert Smith said the victim of the robbery lives in fear that people will come into his home and attack him.

He told Austin: "You have shown limited insight into your offending. Your behaviour is unpredictable when you misuse drugs. I am required to consider the issue of dangerousness. I am satisfied, just, on balance, that you do not present such a risk. I cannot be satisfied you meet the statutory test to meet the criteria of a dangerous offender."

Recorder Smith added: "Monkey dust is a vile cancer in this city. I have no doubt your use of monkey dust did underpin some of your offending."

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