Bat-wielding robber jailed
A man who robbed an Albrighton store with two accomplices dressed in balaclavas and armed with a cricket bat has been jailed for four years.
John Paxon, 25, had already admitted robbing the Elm Road Stores on June 14 last year in an ordeal which left the shop's owner terrified.
Ms Raj Punia, prosecuting, today told Shrewsbury Crown Court that three men entered the store at 11.50am wearing balaclavas, latex gloves and dark clothing, with one raider also wielding a cricket bat.
She said one of the men then told a customer to lie on the floor as shopowner Linda Munroe retreated.
Another man reached over the counter and grabbed the till containing about £100 cash, before the men made off in a waiting Volvo car with other goods including cigarettes, the court heard.
Paxon, of Tamsen Road, Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, was later arrested by police, despite a brief escape attempt where he ran off with a handcuff still attached to his wrist.
Ms Punia said the robbery had had a profound effect on Mrs Munroe, who had been robbed at knifepoint once before.
She said five months on, she was still too frightened to be in the shop by herself and suffered flashbacks about the robbery.
Mr Neil Chawla, for Paxon, said his client had problems with drink and drugs and had got into a bad circle of friends.
He said he was remorseful about the robbery and wanted to relocate to Blackpool to start afresh.
Judge Robin Onions said Paxon had committed the offence only several weeks after being released from prison for a previous sentence.
