Reece Gillon, a 34-year-old man from Prudhoe, Northumberland, has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for a knife-point robbery at an Asda petrol station. The incident occurred on April 26, 2026, at the garage on Front Street, where Gillon, wearing a balaclava and armed with a six-inch blade, confronted a lone worker at 7:25 am.
Robbery Details
Neil Pallister, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court, described how Gillon pointed the knife at the worker's chest and demanded: "Open the till, give me the money." The victim complied, and Gillon stole £178.12 before fleeing. Police later recovered a kitchen knife with a six-inch blade from a grassy area near the scene.
Gillon was arrested, and his mobile phone was seized. Messages found on the device included one asking "Did you have gloves on?" to which Gillon replied "Yeah and balaclava." Another message discussed hiding the clothing he had worn during the robbery.
Previous Convictions
The court heard that Gillon had a prior robbery conviction from 2010 and was also sentenced for violent disorder related to the 2013 Tyne-Wear derby riots, where Sunderland defeated Newcastle 3-0 at St James' Park. Gillon, of Acorn Square, Prudhoe, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article at an earlier hearing and appeared via video link from Durham prison.
Defence and Sentencing
Jamie Adams, defending, stated that Gillon witnessed domestic violence as a child, had behavioral issues at school, and began using drugs at age 12 or 13. He said: "This man, at the age of 34, began his life without a proper example being shown to him." Adams noted that Gillon had sought mental health help and that his crimes occurred during struggles with crack cocaine addiction, which led to debt. Gillon, who cannot see his two children due to his situation, expressed remorse: "He doesn't like himself for it. He is showing remorse."
Recorder Andrew Latimer emphasized the vulnerability of shop workers, especially those alone. He told Gillon: "It's clear from the pre-sentence report that all of this was being done to get money for drugs. It does show me that there is more to you than the man who went into a petrol station masked and armed ready to steal. It shows that you were someone who has earned a living at least some time in your life." He added: "I want to be clear with you Mr Gillon. You're not the victim in all of this. The victim is a man who was doing his job and met a masked man with a large knife."
Recorder Latimer sentenced Gillon to three-and-a-half years in prison, expressing hope that he would receive help and not pose a threat upon release.
