Jail for intoxicated man, who attacked Dorset c-store owner with knife

A man, who threatened and attacked a convenience store owner with knife in Dorset in July, has been sentenced to jail, stated recent reports.

William Thorne, 24, entered Broadwey Village Stores in Dorchester Road, Weymouth armed with a kitchen knife in a bid to rob the store at around 1pm on Saturday, July 24, the court heard.

Thorne was intoxicated and threw a bottle of tequila at the counter’s plastic screen, made threats towards the store owner, Kevin Kanthan, while demanding money.

As per court hearing, Thorne then forced his way behind the counter and punched Kanthan before the shop owner overpowered him. He caused Thorne to drop the knife and chased him out.

CCTV footage played at Southampton Crown Court showed two different camera angles of the attempted robbery and assault. It showed Thorne entering the store, throwing a bottle at the screen before he ran behind the counter with a knife clenched in his hand.

The incident not only caused around £200 worth of damage to stock and the shop, but also had a “heavy impact” on the shop owner and his family, said local reports.

Since the incident, Kanthan said to have spent thousands of pounds on upgrading his business’ security and employed more staff as “he does not want his wife to be left on her own”.

Thorne was sentenced to four years and three months imprisonment for attempted robbery, 18 months imprisonment for possession of a knife and one month for criminal damage. These sentences will run concurrently. He was also issued a restraining order not to visit Broadwey Village Stores for five years.