Kevin Burke, 39, of no fixed address, was jailed for six years and eight months at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, October 15, 2026, after admitting one count of robbery. He was also handed an extended licence period of three years and restraining orders banning him from contacting his two victims indefinitely.
The court heard that Jane Cleave and Sinead McDonald were working in a Spar shop at the Texaco petrol station on Gale Road in Kirkby shortly before 6.45am on July 24 this year when three masked males entered. Burke was the first into the premises, forcing his way through a plastic screen to access the till area.
Violent assault on staff
Andrew McInnes, prosecuting, described how Burke pushed Ms Cleave several times while demanding she open the cash register. A second robber climbed behind the counter and helped himself to cigarettes and vapes, while a third produced a black bin bag to hold the stolen goods. The employees attempted to push the raiders out, with Ms Cleave striking Burke to the back of the head. He responded by punching her to the side of the head, dislodging her glasses, before hitting Ms McDonald to the right ear and throwing her to the floor when she tried to intervene.
Burke also acted as the getaway driver after the group fled to a waiting car with its registration plates removed. He was identified from CCTV footage by a police officer who had dealt with him many times previously, leading to his arrest on September 2.
Victim impact statements
In a statement read to the court, Ms Cleave said: "I've been left feeling extremely distressed and frightened. The impact has gone far beyond the physical injuries. I no longer feel safe in my own home. I'm often scared to even open my front door." She added that she now carries a panic alarm and self defence spray and has left her employment at the Spar as a result.
Ms McDonald detailed in her own statement how she was forced to take six weeks off work following the incident. She added: "This is the one place I should be able to come and carry out my job role like a normal person."
Judge's rebuke and sentencing
During the hearing, Burke was seen speaking to a security officer in the dock. Judge Louise Brandon asked "is there a problem?" and when Burke replied "no, what are you on about?" she told him: "You were discussing something with the dock officer. You are not here to have a chat with the dock officer. Shut up and listen." Burke responded: "Shut up? Ok".
His criminal record shows 31 previous convictions for 78 offences, including 12 months for robbery in 2010 and nine-and-a-half years for another robbery in 2017. Brendan Carville, defending, told the court: "Life begins at 40. This man's birthday is next Saturday. He will again be starting a long prison sentence." He added that Burke had said "I'll get what I deserve" and that cocaine had "ruined his life".
Sentencing, Judge Brandon said: "You clearly planned what you were about to do. You forced your way into the staff only till area. The customers fled. You tried and failed to open the till and started stealing tobacco and vapes." She noted that Burke was under the influence of cocaine at the time and said: "You put your drug use over your children." Burke will be required to serve two thirds of his custodial sentence behind bars before becoming eligible for release.
