A man who threatened terrified shop staff with hypodermic needles during robberies has been jailed for three years.
Jason Aldis, 31, of Old School Lane, Elmstead Market, stole prescription drugs, money and tobacco from two shops in Colchester earlier this year.
Today at Chelmsford Crown Court, Aldis admitted two counts of robbery and one count of possession with intent to supply a class C drug.
Sentencing, the judge said Aldis produced a “truly fearsome weapon” by terrifying staff members with a needle which appeared to contain blood.
The first incident happened on Saturday, April 22 at around 4.50pm when he entered Boots Pharmacy, in Tamarisk Way, Greenstead, and demanded prescription drugs while threatening a worker and holding a syringe.
The following day, at around 7.10am, he threatened a staff member with a syringe at Martins newsagents at the Fivefields Centre in Greenstead stealing money, tobacco, e-cigarettes and sweets.
Essex Police officers searched the area, including house to house enquiries, and were led to an address in Berberis Walk, also on the estate.
Aldis was arrested at the scene on suspicion of handling stolen goods and possession of drugs.
He was sentenced to three years in prison for both robbery charges, and 12 months for the drugs charge, all of which will run concurrently.
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