KNIFE RAIDER JAILED
Store assistant terrified by ‘fearsome’ curved blade
AMAN who threatened a shop assistant with a knife has been jailed.
Dewi Glyn Parry held the blade towards the woman after he refused to pay for lager and food and demanded more goods.
After leaving the Spar store on Y Maes, Caernarfon, he returned and again produced a knife, this time placing it inside a beer glass on the counter.
The 39-year-old was sentenced to 22 months behind bars after admitting possessing the blade, as well as another knife, illegal drugs and stealing items from a nearby pub.
Sentencing him at Caernarfon Crown Court last week, judge Huw Rees said: “Your intention was to frighten this woman to demand goods from her. This was a fearsome weapon with a curved blade.”
Richard Edwards, prosecuting, said Parry, of Lon Nant, Caernarfon, had approached the till at about 8am on February 4 after picking up lager and food from the shelves.
“The items cost £13 and the defendant gave the shop assistant £3 and then argued he had already handed her £10. He began shouting and being abusive,” said Mr Edwards.
“When he started to empty his pockets she became aware of the knife, which he then held towards her and asked for more items, including lottery scratchcards and tobacco.
“She rang the bell to alert other staff and he walked out of the shop.”
When Parry returned, another shop worker was able to grab the glass and knife.
Police had been alerted, and at about the time they arrived officers were made aware of a theft at the Albert pub.
CCTV footage showed Parry in the pub yard putting ashtrays in his pocket. A set of ladders was also taken.
When Parry was arrested officers found a second knife as well as small amounts of amphetamine and cannabis.
Mr Edwards, summarising a statement from the shop assistant, said the mum-of-four was “terrified”.
Jonathan Austin, defending, said Parry was a regular visitor to the shop and staff would know of him as a “troubled man” with a history of drug and alcohol abuse.