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Knife terror robbers jailed

Sunday, November 02, 2008, 07:00

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TWO teenagers who carried out a terrifying robbery armed with large knives have each been jailed for four years.

Dale Hayes, from Holman Court, Pennycross, and Nicholas Killone, of no fixed abode, yesterday appeared at Plymouth Crown Court for sentencing.

The court heard how the offenders, both 19, donned hooded tops and balaclavas, before rushing into the Co-op store in St George's Terrace, Stoke, brandishing knives several inches long. During the raid, shortly after 8pm on June 27, they demanded the tills from the frightened cashiers as startled shoppers watched in horror. The offenders grabbed one cash till containing around £600 and scrambled out of the front door.

They had previously pleaded guilty to an armed robbery charge. During yesterday's court proceedings it was revealed the two offenders carried out the act "because they were bored".

Speaking at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday, prosecuting barrister David Gittins, said: "This was a frightening armed robbery by these two defendants. One of the cashiers has had to receive counselling following the incident.

"They have both been tearful and nervous."

In September, another city man – who acted as a lookout for the 19-year-olds – was locked up for two and a half years.

Robert John, now 20, of Dundas Street, Stoke, entered the store 10 minutes before the two offenders struck and then helped them escape.

The offenders ran in the direction of Blockhouse Park before dumping the till and the balaclavas. A police forensic team examined the balaclavas and found DNA traces of both offenders, the court heard.

"The probability of the balaclavas not being Hayes' or Killones' was literally one in a billion," Mr Gittins said.

Throughout the hearing, as Judge Paul Darlow listened to the mitigation and sentenced both men, Hayes and Killone sniggered and laughed.

Both dressed in striped tops, they showed no remorse as they were jailed.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Darlow said their actions had affected people's lives.

"I have listened to the witnesses and the reactions of the two women who were there serving that day," he said. "Your actions soured their enjoyment of the job, and one of them is looking to other areas of the city for work because she is so afraid."

They were sentenced to four years each in prison.

Defending Killone, Ali Rafati said: "It must have been a terrifying experience, and nothing I could say in mitigation could detract from that. I can only say there was no actual use of force. It was not unplanned and it was not opportunist. A report I have read also suggests they did it because they were bored."

Mr Rafati described Killone as being a young "troubled" man who had a "terrible" upbringing.

"He suffered severe neglect and was passed around the family," Mr Rafati told the packed court room. He also admitted the severity of the offence and added there was no question a custodial sentence would follow.

Nick Lewin, defending Hayes, said: "This was clearly a well planned and executed event. All I can say is that my client was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence."

Tim Pearce, food group chief operating officer at the Plymouth & South West Co-operative Society Limited, said: "This was a particularly nasty attack and we are pleased that the perpetrators have been brought to justice."

To see CCTV footage of the robbery visit www.thisisplymouth.co.uk