Northern Ireland

Limavady robber who threatened to stab pregnant shop manager jailed

The court heard the 30-year old threatened to stab a pregnant shop manager
The court heard the 30-year old threatened to stab a pregnant shop manager The court heard the 30-year old threatened to stab a pregnant shop manager

A 30-year old would-be robber who threatened to stab a pregnant shop manager during a three-day drink and drugs binge has been given a seven-year sentence.

Conor Clarence had consumed a "bewildering cocktail" of alcohol, heroin, cocaine and Diazepam when he attempted to rob the DV8 store on Main Street and nearby Craigs Service Station in Limavady last June.

Judge Brian Sherrard told the Limavady man that half his sentence would be served in prison with the remainder on licence.

Prior to sentencing, the judge was told by prosecuting barrister Tessa Kitson that Clarence admitted five offences committed on June 23 2018 - namely two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of possessing an offensive weapon with intent and resisting police.

Ms Kitson said the pregnant manager of the DV8 store was alerted to a person in the store wearing a grey beanie hat over his face with a hole in it.

The prosecutor said Clarence approached the counter holding a large knife and told the woman, "give me the money in the till or I will stab you."

Antrim Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, heard Clarence picked up a plastic bag containing glass bottles and walked out of the store.

Five minutes later, he entered a nearby service station and an employee heard a man, wearing a grey hat and armed with a knife, shouting.

The shopkeeper "immediately recognised" Clarence as a regular customer who lived nearby. He left the store and the employee called the police.

He was detained in his Roeview Park home and during his arrest struggled with an officer.

Ms Kitson revealed Clarence had an "extensive" criminal record.

A defence barrister said Clarence instructed him to apologise "not just to the court but also to the individuals in the shop in whom fear was instilled".

The barrister said his client's thinking was distorted after consuming a "bewildering cocktail" of drink and drugs "for three consecutive days" and there was "never an intent to use violence ... his intention was just to scare."

Judge Sherrard spoke of the serious nature of the offences and accepting that both attempted robberies were "amateurish", the judge said: "These offences were committed effectively in the midst of a drugs binge".