Knifeman bragged about his robbery
A MASKED robber armed with a knife who barged into a Cardiff shop demanding cash, vodka and cigarettes has been jailed after his boasts about the crime saw an acquaintance contact police.
Eric McShane was wearing a hooded top and mask when he burst into the Happy Shopper at Llangranog Road in Llanishen and thrust a bag on to the counter shouting for money, alcohol and tobacco.
In a statement given to police, the shopkeeper said: “I thought he was going to stab me.”
Cardiff Crown Court heard the incident took place at about 9.20pm on April 2.
Kathryn Lane, prosecuting, said the shop was quiet when McShane entered and approached the assistant behind the counter, demanding cash from the till.
The prosecutor said: “He pointed the knife at the shop assistant, put a bag on the counter, and said: ‘Quick, quick, money, money.’”
Ms Lane said the victim described the 35cm-long knife as like a sword or dagger.
During a previous hearing, the court heard the shopkeeper was “obviously scared” and placed cash into the bag, before the robber shouted: “Vodka, vodka, fags, fags.”
McShane, who was wearing a balaclava, made the shopkeeper hand over three bottles of vodka and packets of cigarettes, then ran out of the shop.
Prosecutors said the defendant “might have got away with it” had it not been for an acquaintance contacting the police.
The court heard McShane emptied his bag after the robbery, revealing about £180 in cash, along with the vodka and cigarettes.
Prosecutors said: “He bragged he was going to get away with it and was throwing the money around.”
The acquaintance called police and McShane was arrested on April 6. The court heard he had seven previous convictions including robbery, theft and assault.
McShane, 20, from Tatham Road in Llanishen, admitted robbery.
Judge Christopher Vosper QC sentenced McShane to four-and-ahalf years’ detention in a young offender institution and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge.