Shopkeeper fought off Axe RAIDERS
Pair handed 9-year sentences for terrifying robbery at store:
TWO men armed with an axe carried out a ‘sustained and violent’ robbery at a Swansea store.
Callum Booth and Tyler Rowles targeted the Lifestyle Express store on Penderry Road in Penlan on the afternoon of Friday, February 5, this year.
Armed police responded to the incident, which was caught on video and showed one of the men on top of the shop counter and stock scattered on the floor.
Police announced they had arrested two men and a woman following the incident, and issued an appeal for witnesses following the incident.
The woman was later released without charge.
Booth, aged 23, of no fixed address, and Rowles, aged 30, of Thomas Terrace,
Park Road, Morriston, both pleaded guilty to robbery and threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place.
Each was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment at Swansea Crown Court.
Detective Inspector Gareth Jones said: “This was a particularly violent and sustained attack on an innocent shopkeeper, who was fortunate not to have been seriously injured.
“I would like to praise his bravery in fighting off the attackers despite the terror he must have felt, and for providing officers with an accurate account which ultimately led to his attackers’ prompt apprehension.
“I hope that the victim finds satisfaction in the knowledge that both suspects admitted the offence and will now spend a significant amount of time in prison.”