A robber who threatened a terrified lone female shop worker with a knife while demanding cash to feed his drug habit has been jailed. Joshua Richards, 25, produced a large kitchen knife and ordered the woman to hand over cash at a convenience store in Stockport. She tried to resist, but handed over £60. Richards fled, after ordering her not to call the police for 10 minutes.
Robbery at Go Local Davenport Off Licence
Prosecuting, Simon Barrett told Minshull Street Crown Court the shop worker was working at the Go Local Davenport Off Licence on Bramhall Lane, when the defendant entered the shop at about 10.30am on April 1. As he approached the till, he made attempts to cover the bottom half of his face, Mr Barrett said. He then produced a large kitchen knife, and began demanding cash from the till.
She tried to ‘verbally resist’ but ultimately opened the till and handed over £60. As he left, Richards told her not to call the police for ten minutes. The woman later told how her ordeal had left her feeling anxious, and how she was worried Richards may return again armed with a knife.
Caught after public appeal
Richards made off from the scene. He was only found on July 16 after a public appeal was issued featuring still images from CCTV footage within the shop. When questioned by police, Richards claimed it was not him in the CCTV footage. But he later pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a bladed article.
Defending, Matthew Curtis said that Richards had descended into drug addiction and homelessness after suffering breaks in relationships and mental health issues. He had no previous convictions at the time and had committed the robbery in a bid to fund his habit, the court heard. Mr Curtis said Richards’ health has improved since his remand in custody, and added that he has expressed genuine feelings of ‘shame and remorse’.
Judge: ‘She must have been terrified’
He asked the judge to consider suspending any prison sentence handed down. But Judge Maurice Greene said the offence was too serious, describing how the woman ‘must have been terrified’. He said: “This was a premeditated robbery of a commercial premises, committed with a knife against a lone shop worker. Members of the public who work in small shops are entitled to go about their employment free from fear of being confronted by armed offenders.
“This, as you now accept, was a frightening ordeal for a lone shop worker carrying out her ordinary duties.” Richards, of no fixed address, was sentenced to two years and two months in prison. A restraining order was imposed, to last three years, which prohibits Richards from contacting the woman, or attending the shop.
