AN ARMED robber who terrorised late night revellers in the centre of Carmarthen has been jailed today for four years.
Arron Canassa, aged 18, returned home to Lammas Street after one robbery and then set out to carry out another one.
Catherine Richards, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Jun 10) how Canassa struck twice in the early hours of May 8.
His first victim was Jason Hayes, who left the Golden Lion pub at 4am to walk home.
As he walked along John Street he heard a man say to him, “Give me your money.”
Canassa was holding a kitchen knife and Mr Hayes handed over his mobile telephone, some coins and even his driving licence as Canassa continued to threaten him.
Canassa then produced a second knife and said to Mr Hayes, “Do I have to search you?”
“Mr Hayes thought he was going to kill him,” added Miss Richards.
Mr Hayes handed over a £10 note and Canassa ran away.
Miss Richards said Canassa must have gone home because after his arrest police found some of Mr Hayes’ belongings there.
But a short while later he approached Benjamin Dazeley as he used a cash point machine in Lammas Street.
Mr Dazeley had been holding a bag belonging to a Lisa Gatt, a friend.
Canassa again produced a knife and demanded the bag. Mr Dazeley asked him, “Do you really want to do this?”
Canassa pushed Miss Gatt to the ground and ran away.
Miss Richards said police rang Mr Hayes’ mobile and Canassa answered without realising who he was talking to.
He had the cheek to ask how much the caller was willing to pay to get the telephone back and officers agreed a price and arranged to meet him—and promptly arrested him.
During an interview, added Miss Richards, Canassa became aggressive and threatened to bite off an officer’s nose.
Canassa admitted robbery, attempted robbery and two offences of possessing knives in a public place.
His barrister, Dyfed Thomas, said he had been drunk and had taken ecstasy tablets.
Judge Keith Thomas said at the age of 18 Canassa already had an appalling record for violence.
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