A man has been handed a jail sentence of four years on Monday (12) for robbing a convenience store in Plymouth.
According to the recent reports, the incident happened in the afternoon of July 5 at the Premier Store on Regent Street, Greenbank, just a couple of hundred yards from the city's main police station.
Shop staff claimed a man had entered the store brandishing a large kitchen knife and had attempted to open the cash register. Failing to achieve this he is said to have then grabbed a lone shop employee before fleeing the scene with what police described as a "substantial amount of cash".
Searches of the area were carried out by officers, including back lanes and bins, as well as the search of a property in the area of Greenbank Road by specialist search teams. As a result, a number of items were later recovered, including clothing linked to the alleged robbery.
Reports added that Christopher Tannou from Plymouth was arrested by police on the morning of July 7 and taken to Charles Cross police station custody suite where he was interviewed. He was later charged with robbery and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Tannou was remanded into custody and at Plymouth Crown Court on Monday (12), he was handed a four year jail sentence for the armed robber by Judge Robert Linford, with nine months to run concurrently for the possession of an offensive weapon charge.
Det Sgt Paula Tucker told PlymouthLive, "I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the bravery of the victim. This was a traumatic incident and his support was integral to the outcome of the investigation.
"The team acted quickly and were able to identify the suspect within 48 hours ensuring an early arrest. The case was then submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service. Mr Tannou was later charged and remanded into custody. The robbery was carried out in broad daylight. This violent act has no place in our city and anyone who commits such acts will be brought to justice.
"This incident highlights how these cases - knifepoint robberies of convenience stores - may be quick and involve small amounts of cash, but have a devastating and long-term effect on not just the victims, but also their families and even the wider community. I hope this sentence gives the victim a sense of justice and closure."
