A man who robbed a convenience store staff on knifepoint in a seaside town in Devon has been sentenced four years imprisonment last week.
According to Devon and Cornwall Police, Ben Fone, from Torquay, admitted robbery and possession of a knife after the raid at the Post Office and convenience store on Union Street in Torquay on Oct 17 last year.
The court heard how, just before 3pm, police were called by an employee of the shop reporting the robbery. A man entered the store and approached the counter before demanding the employee open the till and hand over the cash.
The suspect, quickly identified as Fone, directed a small kitchen knife at the employee and repeated again to give him money.
Fone forced his way into the employee area and forced the staff member to open the cash drawer. He then grabbed £2,305 worth of notes and ran from the shop, fleeing on a push bike.
CCTV images and footage led to the identification of Fone as the suspect, before he was found and arrested.
He denied the crimes during interview, claiming the CCTV figure wasn't him. Fone was sentenced to four years in prison at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday, August 28.
Officer in the case, DC Jake Woodbridge said, “Ben Fone showed no regard whatsoever for the welfare of employee who was simply doing her job.
“This was no doubt a terrifying incident for her and one which will continue to affect her.
“We welcome the sentence given by the court which ensures that Ben Fone has been taken off the streets, and Torquay is a safer place as a result.”