A KNIFE-WIELDING criminal who was jailed for ten years for two terrifying raids on homes has failed to convince top judges his sentence is too long.
Christopher Smith, 25, of Kirkstead Crescent, was high on the drug M-Cat when he broke into two homes – and prevented his victims from calling an ambulance as one suffered a suspected heart attack.
He was jailed in December after admitting three robberies and one attempted robbery at Grimsby Crown Court, as reported.
He appealed, but Mr Justice Fulford, sitting with Lord Justice Moore-Bick and Mr Justice Irwin, said there was nothing wrong with the length of Smith's sentence.
"These were very serious crimes, committed by an appellant with an appalling criminal record who has now seemingly moved into a more serious league of offending," said Mr Justice Fulford.
The court heard how Smith and another man burst into the home of a 79-year-old in Stallingborough as he sat with his son and his son's girlfriend, on July 18 last year.
Smith appeared in an excitable state and, brandishing a knife, demanded wallets and purses from the victims, threatening to stab them if they moved.
When the 79-year-old began to suffer with what appeared to be a heart attack, Smith used the knife to stop the son from calling for paramedics.
He made off with his accomplice in the son's car, but was identified through research conducted by the victims themselves, the London court heard.
Less than two weeks later, Smith was at it again, going with another accomplice into a shared house in Grimsby and robbing the occupant at knifepoint.
Smith had already committed more than 70 offences, including violent crimes, and put his behaviour down to his use of alcohol and M-Cat.
His lawyers argued on appeal that the ten-year sentence was "manifestly excessive", but saw their case rejected by the three appeal judges.
"These offences involved on each occasion two men entering private houses and stealing property, having threatened the occupants with knives," said Mr Justice Fulford.
"The appellant was indifferent to the condition of the 79-year-old when it seemed as though he was having a heart attack.
"He has a prodigious criminal record and his offending has now reached new heights of seriousness."
TELEGRAPH EDITOR'S COMMENTWHY on earth do some criminals believe they have a right to have their jail sentences cut? These criminals, many who have committed some terrible crimes against innocent victims, will have pleaded guilty or been found guilty in a court of law. In the mind of many people, that means they have clearly given up their right to decide what sentence is handed to them and what punishment they receive. In fact, it could be said that so many do not get the sentences they actually should do - and actually when they are jailed they only have to serve half their years behind bars! Life certainly does not mean life on many occasions. So who and why do some people pursue appeals through the courts? You could be forgiven for thinking that there are quite a few professionals out there who are making a lot of money out of this seemingly pointless exercise. All this does, as said, is make money for some, while reminding the victims of the crime they have had to suffer and overcome. If a person is wrongly convicted or has a real case for a re-trial then that is another matter. But people high on M-Cat who have robbed - no, a long sentence should not even be called into question.SEE THE RELATED ARTICLE, ABOVE RIGHT, TO READ THE REPORT OF SMITH'S ORIGINAL COURT CASE WHEN HE WAS SENTENCED