Drug addict committed shocking robbery and shoplifting crime wave to feed his crack cocaine and heroin habit
hereThe robberies all relate to incidents at the cash machine, and the theft counts were all committed at the One Stop Shop.Manchester Crown Court heard how Downing committed the offences between August and December last year, when he was finally apprehended.Downing was known to staff at the shop, and they had been 'wary' about challenging him, prosecutor Gavin Howie said.On one occasion when a shop worker did confront him, Downing called him a 'black b******' and said 'I'm going to shoot you *****'.Judge Cross gave the man a reward of £100 from public funds, to recognise his 'bravery' in standing up to Downing.Then throughout September, October and November, Downing committed a number of brazen shoplifting offences, picking up items and