Jail for knifepoint robber

A man who robbed a busy shop at knifepoint has been jailed for more than two years.

Staff at the Co-op in Burwell noticed Shane Sparks, 47, attempting to conceal a packet of burgers and some cheese down his trousers, on 28 January at about 1.30pm.

The staff members confronted Sparks when he attempted to leave, but he pulled a kitchen knife out of his pocket and lunged towards them, holding the knife above his head.

Sparks continued to brandish the knife towards staff as he threatened to “cut their insides out”.

Sparks, of Myrtle Drive, Burwell, left the shop but was later arrested at his home address on 30 January.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Friday (20 June), Sparks was jailed for two years and seven months, having previously pleaded guilty to robbery and possessing a knife in a public place.

PC Ryan Parker, who investigated, said: “Sparks went to the Co-op that day armed with a knife, knowing he was going to steal, and then use the knife to intimidate and scare anyone who stood in his way.

“This happened in a busy store in broad daylight and will have a lasting impact on the victims involved.

“We hope this sentence shows that knife crime and violent, threatening behaviour is not tolerated in Cambridgeshire.”

Learn more about knife crime on our website.