A violent criminal has been sentenced to life in prison after a series of shocking offences in Birmingham, which included robbing an elderly widower and burgling a dental surgery.
A Spree of Violent Crime
Craig Holden, aged 43 and from Reddings Lane in Hall Green, was handed the life sentence at Birmingham Crown Court. The court heard how Holden's crime spree began on June 20 last year on Russell Road in Edgbaston.
At around noon, he targeted a 72-year-old man who had recently been widowed. CCTV footage showed Holden approach the victim from behind and grab his shoulder bag, causing both to fall to the ground. After they stood up, Holden shoved the man into a garden wall and back down.
He then walked away before pulling a knife from his waistband and swiping repeatedly at the victim, finally cutting his arm on the third attempt. Holden fled with the bag, which contained bank cards, keys, an iPhone and £60 in cash.
Burglary at the Dental Clinic
The following day, on June 21, Holden used a shovel to smash his way into the Birmingham Smile Clinic on Stratford Road. He stole a laptop and £35 in cash from the orthodontist practice. The incident left staff terrified, a fear that was compounded when they saw Holden outside the clinic again two days later, shortly before his arrest.
Prosecutor Ilana Davis told the court that Holden had made disturbing comments about his intentions. Regarding the robbery victim, he stated he had followed the man with the intent to rape and murder him, and only stole his bag when he failed to cause more serious harm.
For the burglary, he claimed he was struggling with his methadone prescription, wanted to return to prison, and described himself as a 'risk to the public'.
Courtroom Complaints and Sentencing
Holden appeared at his hearing on Monday, January 12, via a video link from HMP Birmingham. During the proceedings, he interrupted to complain about dental pain.
He was heard sighing before saying, 'How long is it going to take I'm in horrendous pain here?' When Recorder John Steel KC informed him it would be about 45 minutes, Holden replied, 'I can't wait that long. I've half a tooth sticking out of my gum.' The hearing ultimately lasted two hours, during which he complained again and claimed the judge had painted him as a 'monster'.
Having pleaded guilty to robbery, wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article, Holden was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 80 months minus 75 days – approximately six-and-a-half years – before he can be considered for parole.
The court was told Holden has a history of robbery and knife offences, alongside various mental health issues linked to drug misuse. His defence barrister, Nicholas Berry, said these issues were exacerbated by the loss of family members and a serious accident at a previous job.
Berry stated, 'This is a man with a lot of difficulties in terms of character, mental health and cognitive function. He needs a high level of support.'
The elderly victim of the street robbery stated the attack left him 'terrified' and that he intended to leave Birmingham, despite having lived in the area his entire life.
