'A terrifying experience': Northampton robber jailed for threatening to shoot shopkeeper and dangerous driving

A Northampton man who threatened to shoot a shopkeeper during a robbery while on bail for dangerous driving was jailed for five and a half years yesterday (Wednesday, February 26).

Ismaeel Ahmed 'terrified' shoppers after demanding cash and pointing what turned out to be an imitation gun at the Boothville store owner in November, Northampton Crown Court heard.

The 23-year-old, of Crane Walk, Thorplands, was also sentenced over a separate incident with the plastic firearm on the same day, another theft from the same shop a few weeks before and a three-car crash in Abington in August.

Jonathan Eley, defending, said: "At the time of these offences, Mr Ahmed's life had fallen apart. His involvement with alcohol and cannabis was steadily increasing.

"He was in effect losing control of himself and his consumption but he know that's not an excuse which he accepts."

Ahmed's crimes started on August 29, when he sped away from police who were looking for him on Wellingborough Road, the court heard.

But officers called off the chase after the Citreon he was driving - without the owner's permission, insurance or a licence - reached speeds of 80mph.

But the driver, who turned out to be nearly two times over the limit for alcohol and drug blood levels, crashed with another car with a mother with her two young children inside on Abington Park Crescent.

As the other car span, Ahmed drove off but then hit a Hyundai with a woman inside, rolling his car over the bonnet.

Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane said: "Both vehicles were written off and all of the people involved suffered injuries, fortunately not life-threatening or serious but it still had an effect on them."

Having been treated at the scene by paramedics, Ahmed was arrested and taken to hospital but did not need further care but he was found to have a small amount of cannabis.

He was released on bail but at around 12.30pm on October 18, he stole of a bottle of Stella Artois from the shop on Booth Lane North after his bank card was declined.

Then at around 9.25pm on November 2, he visited a friend's house in Farmfield Court, Thorplands, to demand £700 in drug money.

His acquaintance was not there but their mother and brother spoke to the defendant before realising he had a handgun in his jacket pocket and called the police.

Five minutes later, Ahmed tried to go back to the shop he stole from a few weeks beforehand but was told to leave as he was banned and the owner could see the gun.

He came back soon after but with the gun in his hand this time, aiming it at the owner and demanding cash, Lynsey Knott, prosecuting, explained.

On the imitation firearm, Judge Crane said: "It's a realistic-looking item, I'm told it's plastic but it's clearly not a child's toy.

"This must have been a terrifying experience for the shopkeeper and customers."

Ahmed, who was 'clearly intoxicated' according to Miss Knott, grabbed a charity box and tried to leave the shop, chasing an innocent customer away in the process.

But the quick-thinking shopkeeper trapped him between the external roller shutter and front door while everyone else hid - Ahmed was asleep by the time police arrived 45 minutes later.

Ahmed pleaded guilty to all charges at the crown court on December 4.

Mr Eley told the court his client is extremely remorseful and is working to deal with his alcohol and drug abuse, adding: "He's thoroughly shamed.

"He has now become sober in prison and realised what he has done and the effect it has on other people especially the shop owner and customers.

"He's truly sorry and apologises unreservedly to them but knows it's of small consolation.

"He also apologises unreservedly to the car drivers and passengers although again he knows it's a small consolation to them."

Judge Crane sentenced Ahmed to four years imprisonment for the robbery as well as four years concurrent for the imitation firearm, 12 months concurrent for the other firearm incident and three months concurrent for the shop-lifting.

But 18 months was added to his sentence for the dangerous driving as well as a three-month concurrent term for taking a motor vehicle without consent.

Ahmed was also disqualified from driving for five years and nine months. No sentence was imposed for the cannabis possession, driving without insurance or without a licence.