A thief who targeted two shops in Halstead, Essex, in three days has been jailed.
Connor Sexton asked to view a ring in John Winter Drake Jeweller, High Street, on March 7 – but when the owner brought out a tray of rings, Sexton grabbed it and ran.
On March 9, he threatened an assistant with a garden fork at The Original Factory Shop, in Bridge Street, and demanded money before grabbing a computer hard drive from the counter and running out. It is believed he mistook it for a till.
Police carried out a search of the area and Sexton handed himself in. He admitted both offences and was charged with robbery at The Original Factory Shop and theft from the jeweller.
Sexton, 23, unemployed, of Radvald Chase, Stanway, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court to 16 months for robbery and 12 months for theft, to run consecutively.
The rings have yet to be recovered. Call Braintree CID or visit essex.police.uk/do-it-online if you can help.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here