Heritage's Robbery Nets Williamstown Man 12-Year Sentence

A Williamstown man made a tearful plea for mercy, blaming a long record of crimes on drug addiction, before finally being sentenced Friday to more than a decade in state prison for robbing a Woodbury convenience store in 2011.

James F. Howarth, 30, of Williamstown, had pleaded guilty to the May 30 robbery of Heritage’s on North Broad Street, as well as attempting to pass a forged check at the on March 14, 2011, but begged for a lesser sentence than was recommended at that plea last month, telling Superior Court Judge Walter L. Marshall Jr. that another extended term behind bars “will institutionalize me.”

Howarth has a long history of criminal behavior, including serving time for two out of nine delinquency cases, plus 15 municipal court offenses and seven indictable convictions as an adult.

His previous jail record shows four convictions for receiving stolen property, for which he served a total of about six months in state prison.

Marshall noted that record during the proceeding, and kept to the recommendations, sentencing Howarth to 12 years for the robbery and three years for the forged check, with the terms to be served concurrently.

But Marshall also said he would recommend substance and mental health treatment for Howarth while he serves out his term.

“You’re going to have to be the driving force for change,” Marshall told Howarth.

Howarth brandished a pocketknife when he robbed the Heritage’s on North Broad Street, getting about $390 before fleeing. He was arrested by Deptford police just blocks away on Deptford Avenue a short time after the robbery.

In addition to the prison time, Howarth was ordered to repay $30 from the $390 that wasn’t recovered immediately after the robbery.

Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton said the 12-year sentence was appropriate, given Howarth’s past.

“Over the years, this individual’s crimes have escalated from petty theft and narcotics offenses to armed robbery,” Dalton said.  “Protection of the public warranted a substantial prison sentence.”