Man jailed after robbing Stoke-on-Trent shop at knifepoint
Christopher O’Connell sentenced to more than three years for robbery and knife possession
A man who robbed a Stoke-on-Trent shop at knifepoint has been jailed for more than three years.
Christopher O’Connell, 47, of Longport, was sentenced to three years and ten months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday, 23rd October, after admitting robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.
The court heard that in April this year, O’Connell entered Longport News on Station Street armed with a knife. He took cans of alcohol and then forced his way behind the till to grab cigarettes.
Police quickly attended the scene and carried out a search of the area. O’Connell was located a short distance away and arrested. After being questioned in custody, he was charged and later pleaded guilty to the offences.
As part of his sentence, O’Connell was also ordered to pay £228 in costs.
Detective Constable Ian Prendergast, from the force’s criminal investigations department, said: “O’Connell was pre-meditated in his plan to steal from the store armed with a weapon and I’m pleased he has been brought to justice.
“By working proactively to tackle burglary, theft and robbery across Staffordshire, we’ve been able to reduce the total number of crimes in 2024, when compared to the year before.
“Work is continuing every single day to protect our retailers and to act robustly against those responsible for these offences.”