News Robber jailed after raid on community store

A robber who claimed to have a knife when he threatened a shop assistant has been put behind bars.

Liam Worton carried out the raid on Peppers Stores, in Watnall Road, Hucknall, on 7 January 2023 when he stole more than £860 in cash.

Worton, aged 31, of Chatsworth Drive, Hucknall, was jailed for a total of two years and eleven months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Monday (24 June).

He had earlier pleaded guilty to robbery and shop theft.

Worton had first attended the store around 5pm when he grabbed cans of lager and was caught on CCTV leaving after making no attempt to pay.

Around one hour later, a member of staff was in the storeroom when she heard the shop door open.

As she walked back to the till she saw a man with a hood tight over his face had entered the shop and was walking towards her.

When the man reached the counter he ordered the shop worker to open the till and said he had a knife in his pocket.

Fearing for her safety, the member of staff opened the till and the man, later identified to be Worton, grabbed the cash and fled the scene.

Response officers who were called to the scene were able to quickly identify Worton as a suspect and he was arrested just over one hour later at an address in Hucknall.

Detectives carried out house-to-house inquiries and made use of CCTV and forensics as part of their investigation into the robbery.

Detective Constable Christine Hewlett, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“The victim must have been extremely frightened when she was confronted by a robber with his face covered and claiming to have a knife.

“She was simply doing her job and no one deserves to be threatened with violence while at work.

“Thankfully we were able to quickly identify a suspect and arrest Worton. He denied the offence in interview but detectives were able to build a strong case against him during our investigation.

“Anyone carrying out a robbery like this with threats to hard-working members of the public can expect a robust response from the force and I am pleased the judge has seen fit to put him behind bars.”