A thug from Dover who killed a rugby club player in a vicious stabbing ended up back inside after robbing a betting shop.

Steven Fields, who admitted robbery, was jailed for eight months for the latest offence and has served the sentence on remand.

The 26-year-old, said to be addicted to drink and gambling, was recalled to prison when on licence from a 12-month sentence for affray and the parole board will decide when to release him.

Fields, formerly of Kimberley Close, Dover, was sentenced to seven years in 2001 for the manslaughter of Troy Comins, a 26-year-old member of Whitstable Rugby Club.

The sentence was reduced to five years on appeal – to the disgust of the victim’s family.

Fields was released from an extended sentence for affray, including 12 months jail and a further two years licence, on December 18, last year.

Two days later he walked into Corals bookmakers in Strood and robbed it of £200 after threatening to stab a female member of staff.

But a judge decided at Maidstone Crown Court that Fields was not dangerous enough to warrant an indeterminate sentence for public protection.

Alex Wilson, prosecuting, said Fields was a regular customer at the betting shop.

While the manager was outside having a cigarette, Fields went up to the counter and told La-La Jammeh: “Give me the money.”

Seeing he had one hand in his pocket, she handed over the cash from the till.

Fields left the shop and the manager saw him run off down the road.

When arrested, Fields said he had been drunk. He also admitted being addicted to gambling and said he wanted money.

Judge Michael Lawson, QC, said a court considered at Fields’s last appearance that he posed a significant risk of causing serious harm to the public by committing further offences.

“I can understand entirely why the court took that view,” he said. “When you are in drink you have absolutely no control over what you do.

“That will bring you into real problems, because one day you are going to cause really serious harm to somebody and you will be in prison for a very long time and permanently on licence.”

Harry Potter, defending, had told the judge Fields’s background was “one of misfortune”. He was a different person when he had not been drinking.

“Addictions to alcohol and gambling are matters he is going to have to deal with,” he added.