Court: 50-Year-Old Jailed For Attempted Robbery
Appearing in Magistrates Court this morning [Jan 15], a 50-year-old man was sentenced to three years in jail after admitting trying to rob Empire Grocery on North Shore while possessing a knife.
Bernett Colin Simmons pleaded guilty to attempting to rob Empire Grocery and using force to do so. He also pleaded guilty to being in a public place and unlawfully possessing a bladed article which the Court heard was a knife with a seven inch blade. Both actions occurred on January 12, 2016.
Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo sentenced him to three years in prison for the one offence and fifteen months in prison for the other offence. The sentences will run concurrently.
The Magistrate was told that a customer inside the store had noticed the interaction between the store owner and Mr Simmons. The customer quickly grabbed a grocery basket and struck Mr Simmons who then ran out of the store. The customer followed him while shop staff called police, who responded quickly.
After being caught by police, Mr Simmons admitted the attempted robbery and possessing the knife.
After the incident, a police statement said, “Police responded to a report of an attempted robbery, which occurred at Empire Grocery on North Shore Road, Devonshire.
“It was reported that an unknown man wearing dark clothing and a black helmet entered the store brandishing a knife and made demands for money. The suspect was struck by a customer then forcibly pushed out of the store. The suspect was able to flee the scene on foot, running along Tribe Lane towards Long Ridge Pass.
“Police responded quickly to the area and were able to apprehend a man fitting the suspect’s description. That man is currently in police custody assisting with inquiries.”
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