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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency fishing closures kick in Saturday ... Police mum on circumstances behind killing of prowler ... Cluster of tiny earthquakes shakes terrain near Lakeview ... Emergency fishing closures kick in Saturday ... Police mum on circumstances behind killing of prowler ... Cluster of tiny earthquakes shakes terrain near Lakeview ... COURTS Judge sentences Medford robbers who wielded sickle, wrench Men stole to support drug habits By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 16, 2015 @ 1:52 pm Updated at 4:29 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 16, 2015 @ 1:52 pm Updated at 4:29 PM » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> A man who robbed a Medford Subway sandwich shop twice and a Mini Pet Mart while armed with a sickle was sentenced to eight years and four months in prison, while his friend who joined in one of the Subway robberies with a wrench was sentenced to six years and eight months. Michael Dennis Bobbett, 22, of Medford pleaded guilty Thursday to three counts of second-degree robbery after threatening workers with a sickle during robberies on July 9, July 13 and Aug. 12 last year. He stole a total of $359. Bobbett admitted he told one of the workers he would "slit her throat" with the sickle, police said in an affidavit. Jeremiah David Petrey, 22, of Medford also pleaded guilty Thursday, to one count of second-degree robbery. Bobbett was addicted to oxycodone and would turn to heroin when he couldn't get the prescription painkiller, said his defense attorney Jeni Feinberg. Feinberg said Bobbett's arrest and prison sentence may end up saving his life because he was so severely addicted. "He could be released before he's 30," she said. "He wasn't going to survive that long on the street." Bobbett tried to read a letter of apology in court, but choked up and handed the letter to Feinberg to read. In the letter, Bobbett said he feels like a new person since gaining sobriety in the Jackson County Jail and hopes to become a drug and alcohol abuse counselor. He said he wants to support other people and show them a better path to take in their lives. Jackson County Circuit Judge Timothy Barnack told Bobbett his purpose in life should also be to help take care of his 10-year-old little brother once his prison term ends. Barnack said Bobbett's family had not treated Bobbett well and likely would not be supportive of the boy. The boy was in the courtroom watching while his older brother was sentenced. "You have an obligation to this little guy," Barnack said. "You're going to have to get out and help your little brother." The judge allowed the two brothers to give each other one long, last hug. Petrey, who stole $86 with Bobbett during the first Subway robbery, said he started smoking marijuana and then progressed to heroin. The Jackson County District Attorney's Office said the robberies were driven by drug addiction. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous .         By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 16, 2015 @ 1:52 pm Updated at 4:29 PM » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501