Michael White from Hythe jailed for 46 months after threatening to ‘batter’ woman during attempted robbery near Spar on Fawley Road

A MAN who threatened to “batter” a woman he was trying to rob, but then later messaged her to apologise, has been jailed for nearly four years.

Michael White (33), of Laburnum Crescent in Hythe, appeared at Southampton Crown Court with co-accused Jack Scrase (27), from Birmingham.

Prosecutor Ed Warren told the court how Scrase had arranged to meet his former girlfriend at the Spar store on Fawley Road in Hythe in February after she claimed he owed her money.

When she arrived, she saw Scrase – who was about two metres away – pull a handgun from his pocket before he pointed it at her chest and asked “Where is he?” in reference to her new partner.

White then appeared on the scene in a balaclava, Mr Warren said, and told her: “Give me whatever you have on you.”

When the victim began to cry, he added: “I’m going to count down to three – give me everything you have or I’ll batter you.”

She screamed and alerted staff inside the shop, and White fled. Scrase tried to follow her inside, but left after being told the police had been called.

Mr Warren said around two weeks later, on 14th March, White sent a Snapchat message to the victim confessing his involvement.

The incident was only reported to police after the victim confided in a youth worker about what had happened.

Police searched White’s home and seized an imitation firearm. In interview he denied knowing Scrase or the victim, and said the BB gun belonged to his son.

He also denied sending the confessional message and claimed other people had access to his mobile phone. Scrase also denied being involved, and said his former partner was lying.

A victim statement, which was read to the court on behalf of the woman, said: “I still have flashbacks about what happened. I have nightmares and wake up crying and sweating; I feel like I can’t breathe.

“I don’t like going out by myself any more and some days I can’t get out of bed as I feel so down about everything.”

Defending, William Sneddon said White, who has 11 previous convictions, was “extremely disappointed” in his behaviour.

“He didn’t know her from Adam, but once he did, he reached out and apologised for his actions,” he said.

There had been little planning on White’s part, who had met up with Scrase to take drugs, he explained, adding: “He made a spur-of-the-moment decision that he truly regrets.”

If he was not sent immediately to prison he could start a new job in Essex, the court heard, away from bad influences in the area.

Mr Sneddon added: “There is more to be gained from Mr White being managed in the community, rather than being incarcerated.”

The court heard how Scrase had “never got over” the death of his five-day-old daughter almost 10 years ago and his life had spiralled, including using drugs.

Barrister Nick Robinson added he was “incredibly sorry” for the incident.

White and Scrase had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of attempted robbery. Scrase also admitted possessing an imitation firearm.

Sentencing White to 46 months in prison, and Scrase to 56 months, Judge Nicholas Rowland said the victim had been lured to the scene before White “made demands”.

He told him: “You could see what was going on and you threw yourself into it.”

He also imposed a five-year restraining order and ordered the imitation gun be destroyed.

Speaking after the sentencing, DC Jamie Medway said: “I am pleased for the victim in this case that justice has now been served.

“This was a horrific ordeal for her to go through. While I appreciate the court result alone won’t rid her of the memories of the events that day, I hope these sentences help her to move forward with her life.”