Robber who targeted same Northampton shop three days in a row in 'terrifying incidents' jailed for five years
A robber who targeted the same Northampton shop three days in a row – including while brandishing a knife – has been jailed for five years.
Ayman Ali, aged 22, raided the store in Clinton Road between December 28 and 30 – stealing various items, raiding the till and even claiming to be a staff member at one point, serving customers and taking a mobile phone.
A spokesperson for Northamptonshire Police said: “On the first occasion, Ali entered a staff-only area and stole a bottle of Malibu rum, some sweets, and a packet of crisps.
“The next day he stepped up his level of offending - brandishing a kitchen knife, jumping over the counter, and taking the till tray which contained cash.
“On the third day, Ali returned to the store and after an argument with a cashier, he again went behind the till area and stole money from the till.
“Bizarrely, he then pretended to work at the shop for a very short period of time - serving a handful of customers, pocketing their cash and momentarily taking a customer’s mobile phone.”
Police were called and Ali was identified as the suspect, quickly arrested, and charged with two counts of robbery, burglary and possession of a knife, the spokesperson said. He was also subsequently charged with assaulting a police constable in the execution of their duty after he pushed an officer during his arrest.
After pleading guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court at an earlier hearing, Ali returned to the same court this month (October 3) where he was sentenced to five years and three months in prison, the spokesperson added.
Lead investigator - Detective Constable Zach Boynton said: “I am really pleased that we have managed to secure this sentence, and I hope Ayman Ali spends his time behind bars reflecting on his poor choices with a view to making better ones when he is released.
“These were terrifying incidents for the shop staff and members of the public concerned, so I hope this result reassures them how seriously the police and the courts treat this kind of offence and how determined we are to bring the offenders to justice.”