Norwich: Man Jailed For Robbing Shop

23 April 2014, 10:34 | Updated: 23 April 2014, 10:43

A man who robbed a Norwich shop, threatening staff, has been jailed for three years.

Darryl Hindley took cigarettes from behind the counter of the Earlham Shopper after going into the store just after 6am on Thursday 9 January.

The 20-year-old threatened staff while holding a metal object in his hand and demanded two bottles of vodka which were handed over.

Hindley took the items and left the West Earlham shop, walking calmly away with seven packets of cigarettes and two 1lt bottles of vodka.

Police were called to the scene and Hindley was arrested later that day after he was identified by police officers who viewed the shop’s CCTV.

Hindley, of Beecheno Road, Norwich, appeared at the city’s crown court yesterday (22 April) where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to robbery.

Detective Constable Andy Vinsen, who led the investigation, welcomed the sentence.

He said: "In her witness statement, the shop worker described seeing a ‘metal object’ in Hindley’s hand and gave him the bottles of vodka in fear of her safety.

"This was a frightening experience for the workers who were not injured but understandably left shaken by what happened.

"I hope this sentence will act as a warning to others considering crime as an option.”

No further action was taken against a 19-year-old man who was also arrested in connection with the incident.