William Campbell, whose victims included the Southampton branch of the Royal British Legion, also committed a spate of shoplifting offences during a 17-month crime spree.
Appearing at Southampton Magistrates Court, the 40-year-old thief was jailed for 16 weeks after admitting almost 20 offences.
He had earlier been arrested after serving part of an 11-year jail sentence handed down in 2018 for robbing a Co-op store in Eastleigh.
Southampton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)
Workers were preparing to cash up when they were confronted by Campbell, who was wearing a gas mask and brandishing a 6in knife.
Martyn Booth, prosecuting, told Southampton Crown Court: “It must have been a terrifying experience.”
Campbell made off with £5,500 but was caught by armed police and all the cash was recovered.
After being released on licence, he breached the conditions attached to his freedom and was arrested in March 2026. During his subsequent appearance at the magistrates court, he pleaded guilty to 19 counts of theft.
Two charity tins were stolen from the Stile Inn on Shirley Road (Image: Google)
Campbell, of no fixed address, targeted The Stile Inn at Shirley Road, Southampton, on February 23 this year.
Landlady Clara Ship said he stole two charity tins containing donations for the Friends of St James’ Park and money raised for the upkeep of the pub’s defibrillator.
“While my back was turned he used his cigarette lighter to burn through the ropes securing the tins to the bar,” she said.
“I was furious when I discovered what he’d done, and so were my customers.”
Commenting on the theft from the Royal British Legion, a spokesperson for the charity said: “This loss will deprive those in the service and ex-service community and their families of much-needed assistance and support from the RBL.”
Campbell’s one-man crimewave began on October 27 in 2024, when he targeted a shop in Fareham.
On November 4 in 2025 he stole a charity tin from the Royal British Legion in Southampton. Three days later he carried out a similar theft at Highfield News, snatching cash raised for an animal charity.
A spokesperson for the shop said: “It was quite upsetting – very disappointing and disrespectful.”
Campbell also stole charity tins from the Bellemoor Tavern at Hill Lane, Southampton, and staff tips from the Raven & Bine pub in Carlton Place.