Samuel Austin, of Norton, has received a 10-year sentence for his wide range of crimes. The 28-year-old’s criminal activity includes robbery, supply of monkey dust, inflicting grievous bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon, and burglary. He was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
In July 2022, a pre-arranged fight between Austin and Ashley Bowen outside of a Co-op in Northwood ended with Austin stabbing Bowen in his left arm and leg.
Austin’s other crimes include battering and robbing a man on Wade Street, Burslem, and breaking into a garage in Norton. The court heard that the victim of Austin’s robbery now lives in fear of further robberies.
Austin is also guilty of supplying monkey dust, a highly addictive synthetic drug, throughout the Staffordshire area.
The court heard that Austin himself had become addicted to monkey dust after breaking both his legs in a car accident. This incident prevented him from joining the parachute regiment, which Paul Cliff, mitigating, stated “…had awful consequences for his mental health”.
Recorder Robert Smith stated: I have no doubt your use of monkey dust did underpin some of your offending.”
Experienced writer and journalist James McKean leads the daily editorial output at StaffsLive. To contact him, email news@staffslive.co.uk
