Gateshead Armed Robber Jailed
A man has been jailed for 11 years after being convicted of two robberies and an attempted robbery in Gateshead. Daniel McDowell, who is 34 and from Beacon Rise in Gateshead, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on January 7 and was sentenced to serve 11 years in prison for two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery and one count of possessing an offensive weapon. On August 22, last year, McDowell entered the NISA store in Wrekenton and threatened staff, squirting Ammonia at one staff member, before stealing cigarettes. On August 23, he got into a random member of the public's car in Beacon Lough and threatened them demanding money. The person screamed and McDowell left empty handed. Then on August 26 he robbed the Ulta-Tan premises in Wrekenton Row, threatening staff with a knife and stealing cash. McDowell was arrested on August 26, charged with the three offences and after appearing at court on January 7 will now be behind bars for the next 11 years. Central Area Command Superintendent Richie Jackson said:
"McDowell is a dangerous individual and a man who's offending caused a lot of fear and trauma to his victims. Any person who thinks it's acceptable to threaten shop staff with a knife and use ammonia as a weapon deserves to be behind bars and is clearly a risk to the public. Thanks to the tenacious and determined work by officers from Newcastle CID McDowell is now in prison and will be staying there for a very long time."