Five Years Imprisonment For Armed Robber

22/03/2012

Matthew Sharkey was sentenced to five years imprisonment today at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to an armed robbery at Smileys One Stop Shop on Watson Road, Blackpool on 9th January 2012.

He threatened staff with an imitation handgun and a kitchen knife and demanded they hand over money from the tills. He fled from the shop with approx £1,800 in cash before discarding the jacket he had been wearing, the knife and gun in a nearby park.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a samurai sword and another kitchen knife which were in his possession when he was arrested at his home address a few weeks later.

Derek Artis, District Crown Prosecutor from CPS North West Area said:

"The evidence against him was overwhelming and left him with no option but to plead guilty to the offences.

"The two members of staff went through a terrifying ordeal whilst going about their normal working day.  This type of crime can be devastating for anyone subjected to it and the effects can be felt for a long time.  Hopefully these sentences can give some sense of justice to the staff at the store to help them put the matter behind them."