'˜Dangerous' man who attempted to rob Northampton shop armed with knife jailed for three years

Lloyd McKimmie, aged 34, entered a shop in Bailiff Street on January 22 armed with a knife.

Northampton Crown Court heard McKimmie told the shopkeeper he wanted the money from the till.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said: “The shopkeeper was extremely scared and thought he was going to be stabbed.”

The shopkeeper told McKimmie that he needed to get a key to open the till and went to the back of the store and then managed to escape.

McKimmie then walked out of the front entrance of the shop and towards the Racecourse.

Police were called to the scene and McKimmie was arrested with knife still in the top pocket of his shirt.

McKimmie, of St Michaels Avenue, Northampton, later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and having a knife in a public place.

The court heard he had two previous convictions for having a knife and was jailed for five years in 2007 after he was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm.

Her Honour Judge Lucking said McKimmie, who has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, was a “dangerous” offender and posed a “serious risk” of harm to the general public.

She sentenced McKimmie to three years and four months in jail. He will have to serve two thirds of his sentence before being considered for release.

McKimmie was also given an extended licence period of five years.