Two men have been jailed for a total of 10 years following an investigation into two knifepoint robberies in Hove.
Scott Thompson, 29, unemployed, of Sheridan Terrace, Hove, and Jamie Paris, 26, a labourer, of Ashton Rise, Brighton, were sentenced to six years’ and four years’ imprisonment respectively.
The pair were arrested and charged in connection with the incidents, and sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday 16 November.
At 8.10pm on Tuesday 11 October, two men entered Poets Convenience Store in Westbourne Street, Hove, where a member of staff was threatened with a knife. The suspects got away with a quantity of cash which they took from the till.
At about 2.50pm on Monday 17 October, police received a report of an armed robbery at Premier newsagents in Old Shoreham Road, Hove. Two suspects entered the store and stole a quantity of cash from the till, before making off on foot towards Portslade. Again, a shop worker was threatened with a knife.
Thompson pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possession of a bladed article (a knife) on 17 October. He denied robbery and possession of a bladed article (a knife) on 11 October, and the Crown Prosecution Service resolved to let the charges lay on file. Thompson was jailed for six years.
Paris pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and possession of a bladed article (a knife) on 11 October, theft (two bank cards) on 16 October, and theft (cash pertaining to stolen bank cards) and possession of a bladed article (a knife) on 17 October. He denied robbery and a further count of possession of a bladed article (a knife) on 17 October, and the Crown Prosecution Service resolved to let the charges lay on file. Paris was jailed for four years.
Detective Constable Vicky Lofts said: “Thankfully, no one was harmed during either of the incidents, however the victims were left understandably distressed.
“The significant sentences served against these two dangerous individuals clearly reflects the seriousness of their crimes, and we are confident the streets of Sussex will be safer without them.”
