Addict threatened shop worker with six-inch knife
Jailed raider told police: ‘I’ve just done an armed robbery’
An addict who left a shop worker fearing for her life after threatening her with a knife while high on cocaine told police: “I’ve just done an armed robbery.”
Stephen Lee stole alcohol and £245 in a raid at Wine with Spirit, Coxheath, in July.
Lee, 33, entered the Heath Road off-licence at around 8pm and, after choosing cans of beer from the shelves, suddenly produced a knife and handed an empty carrier bag to the cashier.
He ordered her to fill it with money, waving a six-inch blade back and forth between the till and the bag. Lee fled and police were called. Having reviewed CCTV and recognised Lee as the culprit, officers found him standing outside his home in Gresham Road just over an hour later.
He had changed his clothing, but quickly confessed he was responsible after being arrested.
He told officers: “I’ve just done an armed robbery. I’m going to admit it.”
During his police interview, Lee admitted he intended to frighten the cashier in order to get her to comply with his demands.
He said he was addicted to cocaine and had been using the Class A drug before entering the store.
Lee pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a knife in a pub- lic place and at Maidstone Crown Court last week was sentenced to three years in prison.
DC Wes Marston said: “Lee subjected the cashier to a terrifying ordeal.
“She was left fearing for her life after he brandished a large kitchen knife and forced her to empty the till.
“Thankfully, we were able to rapidly identify and arrest him, ensuing he could pose no further threat to people in the local community.
“The courts have now passed a significant sentence and I hope at the very least it will provide the victim with the reassurance that justice has been served.”