TWO drug-users who tried to feed their addictions by robbing a bookies with a fake gun have been handed lengthy prison sentences for their joint roles in the ‘frightening’ incident earlier this year.

Kerron Arnetts, of Paices Hill, Aldermaston, and Simon Bampton, of Russell Street, Reading, raided the Coronation Square betting shop on May 31, 2021.

A court heard how Arnetts barged into a nine-year-old before entering the bookmakers with a fake gun.

Despite Bampton staying in the passenger side of the pair’s getaway car during the robbery, he was handed a longer prison sentence than Annetts as a judge said the pair were both ‘committed’ to their crime.

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Shocking CCTV footage played during the pair’s sentencing showed Arnetts rushing into the quiet store where only one customer was present.

The 41-year-old, wearing gloves and a balaclava, ran up to the counter of the store and pointed a gun, which was later revealed to be an imitation firearm, at the woman behind the glass.

He then ran around to the side of the counter and kicked down the wooden door which led to the tills.

Following a brief scuffle with the Betfred employee, Annetts stole £200 from the tills.

Kerron Annetts

Kerron Annetts

The Aldermaston man fled the scene and got back into the driving seat of a Vauxhall Corsa which was waiting outside and which Simon Bampton was sitting in.

The pair drove away but were caught after police were able to track the vehicle used in the robbery.

Prosecuting, Oliver Weetch said both defendants had a history of dishonesty offences.

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Annetts had 36 convictions for 79 offences and Bampton had 45 convictions for offences including burglary.

Defending for Annetts, Jon Lucas he was “extremely remorseful” about what he had done and wished to apologise for his actions.

Nick Doherty, defending for Bampton, said his client had lost part of his thumb due to developing gangrene from an infection he received via his drug-use.

He argued his client’s role was not as great as his co-defendant’s as he was sitting in the passenger side of the car while Annetts raided the bookmakers.

Simon Bampton

Simon Bampton

But His Honour Recorder Mr Smith refuted this claim.

He said: “Although they may have played different physical roles they were both clearly aware of what was going to happen.”

Sentencing, he added: “It seems to me that while this was clearly a frightening event, it did not reach the highest level of physical or psychological harm.

“Both these defendants chose to feed their drug addictions by imposing violence on people.

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“There is an impact of this type of offending. Both defendants played different roles but were wholly committed.

“I reject that Bampton should be treated any differently.”

Sentencing, Annetts was handed a four-year and six-month prison sentence after he admitted to robbery and possession of a firearm in July.

Bampton, 47, was handed a six-year jail term after he was convicted of robbery following a trial.

The pair were sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday, December 7.