Shropshire Star

Robber threatened to stab shop boss after making off with jewellery worth £5,600

A man with drug debts snatched three bracelets worth more than £5,600 from a jewellery store after posing as a customer.

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Heroin addict Kenneth Spragg then threatened to stab manager Nicholas Hardman when he pursued him out of Goldsmiths in Shrewsbury.

Miss Samantha Powis, prosecuting, said the defendant first called at the store on September 16 when he told staff that he was looking for a gift for his parents to mark their golden wedding anniversary.

She told the hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court that the 50-year-old stole the items from the branch in The Square when he returned the following day shortly after 10am.

She said Spragg declined to be served by a shop assistant and asked for the manager.

"The defendant said he had approached Mr Hardman previously for advice about a gift for the 50th anniversary for his parents," Miss Powis said.

"The assistant said he went to serve a lady instead and his manager spoke to the defendant. Then he heard his manager shout out and at that point he saw the defendant run out of the door.

"The manager pursued the defendant and the assistant dialled 999.

"When he checked the cabinet he found that three bracelets had been stolen. Mr Hardman had given chase up the High Street and Grove Lane. He saw the defendant in the doorway next to the hair salon.

"He asked him for the bracelets and they were handed over undamaged, but then the defendant threatened to stab him if he didn't let him go," Miss Powis said.

She said during the confrontation Mr Hardman fell over and suffered a gash to his knee that required stitches.

Miss Powis said when Spragg was arrested afterwards he told the police that he was desperate for money and owed £600 in drug debts.

Spragg, of Oakengates Road in Donnington, Telford, had admitted theft and causing alarm and distress at an earlier hearing.

The court heard that he had 34 previous convictions for theft since 1977, and was jailed for five years for robbery in 1987. His other convictions include fraud in 2012.

Mr Paul Smith, for Spragg, said: "The defendant was in a desperate situation. "

For theft Judge Jim Tindall sentenced Spragg to a community order for two years, for causing alarm and distress he must serve a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement and attend a 25-day rehabilitation course.

"This will provide an opportunity to engage to address your drug problems," Judge Tindal said.

He ordered Spragg to pay £200 costs.

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