Man sentenced for three years and nine months in prison for Accrington store robbery

A man who robbed an Accrington convenience store and threatened a female member of staff has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Damen Kershaw last week pleaded guilty to the robbery charges before a judge at the Crown Court.

Kershaw, 33, now of no fixed address but formerly of Lydia Street, Accrington, targeted the M.R. Foods store in Ormerod Street on May 6, this year.

He waited for the shop to become empty, all but for the sole female employee, and committed the robbery at around 6pm. He threatened the staff and escaped with a quantity of cash.

“This was a shocking, pre-planned and cowardly offence committed against a woman who was simply trying to perform her role serving the community of Accrington,” DC Mark Parringotn, of Lancashire Constabulary, said.

“This offence clearly had an impact on the local community, many of whom spoke of their upset at this crime while we were out conducting our enquiries. I hope they, and the victim, are pleased that the courts have decided to send Kershaw to prison for his despicable actions that day.”

Officers arrested Kershaw after CCTV footage mapped out his movements that day and showed his attempts to try and cover his tracks.

The footage showed Kershaw leaving his address in Lydia Street, with a rucksack, and go to waste ground, where he changed his clothing in an attempt to hide his identity. He also hid the rucksack.

After carrying out the robbery, he ran into nearby back allies, removed his hoodie and discarded it. However, by doing this he revealed a distinctive crucifix tattoo. Sometime later he was captured walking back into his home.