Man who robbed Brampton shop and punched customer jailed
He threatened staff and stole money from the High Street shop
A robber who punched a customer, threatened staff and stole money from a shop in Brampton has been jailed.
Patrick Muddiman entered the Co-op store on High Street just before 10pm on 3rd March, when he punched a shop customer who was standing at the till to the back of the head.
He then threatened two staff working behind the tills, who handed him ÂŁ5 and ÂŁ10 notes amounting to around ÂŁ120.
Muddiman demanded £20 notes instead but when told these were kept elsewhere and staff didn’t have access to them, he also demanded a packet of cigarettes.
He was restrained and tackled to the floor by another customer, but punched the man he assaulted earlier for a second time when he tried to help restrain him.
Muddiman, 38, fled but left behind a black wallet containing his driving licence outside the shop.
The theft of the cash and damage to the shop totalled between ÂŁ400 and ÂŁ500, but the Co-op store lost around ÂŁ7,000 in business after being forced to close for a day.
Cambridgeshire Police say Muddiman, of Whiteford Drive, Kettering, Northamptonshire, has 24 previous convictions for 36 offences including theft, violence and other robberies.
He was arrested and declined to comment in police interview, but later admitted charges of robbery and assault by beating.
At Peterborough Crown Court on 12th May, Muddiman was sentenced to six years in prison with an extra three years on licence.
DC Sarah Longbottom, who investigated, said: “This was an incredibly frightening incident for both customers and staff who were in the shop at the time and genuinely feared for their safety.
“Muddiman was linked to the crime by shop CCTV and witnesses who identified him from his driving licence – a key part of evidence which he left behind.”
“I’d like to thank the brave shop customers who tried to help on the day.”