Robber armed with knife jailed after targeting two Doncaster shops
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 20 how Andrew Harrison, aged 27, of Cambridge Street, Mexborough, Doncaster, struck at Heritage Booze Barn and at a nearby Premier Stores shop at Mexborough while armed with a knife between 8am and 9am, on March 6.
Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told Harrison: “I accept you weren’t under the influence of drugs but the catalyst was your lust for cash in order to purchase drugs.”
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Hide AdSusan Evans, prosecuting, said Harrison was carrying a large knife when he went to The Heritage Booze Barn and demanded money and grabbed a carton of fruit and dropped it before leaving.
The defendant also tried to take a purse from a customer before he fled, according to Ms Evans.
Ms Evans said Harrison then went to the Premier Stores shop and when the shopkeeper refused to give him money he grabbed a tin with cash.
Harrison pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, robbery, attempted theft and to possessing a knife in public.
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Hide AdPamela Coxon, defending, said Harrison has problems with anxiety and depression and after struggling with medication he began self-medicating with cannabis and became addicted to crack-cocaine.
She added Harrison is regretful and remorseful but he was spending his wages on cocaine and was not paying his rent and he became desperate.
Judge Richardson QC sentenced Harrison to five-years and four-months of custody.