Police release picture of Doncaster robber who armed himself with a bamboo cane during Tesco Express raid

Sheffield Crown Court heard on July 13 how Wayne Stead, aged 34, of St Edwin’s Drive, Dunscroft, Hatfield, Doncaster, armed himself with a bamboo cane during the first raid and with a hammer during the second raid at the store in Hatfield.

Ian West, prosecuting, said: “On March 6, at about 8.10pm in the evening he entered the premises and left and returned eight minutes later arming himself with a two-and-half-foot garden bamboo cane.”

Stead pointed the cane at a staff member, according to Mr West, and told him if he moved he would wrap the cane around his head and he stole two cases of cider.

Mr West added: “The following day the same mood overcame him about 9pm and he returned to the store and armed himself with a hammer and partially covered his face and entered the premises and was immediately recognised.”

A frightened female staff member saw Stead waving the hammer and she took refuge at the back of the store before Stead stole a further two cases of cider.

Stead, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery.

Andrew Smith, defending, said: “Wayne Stead has been a thorough nuisance for a long, long time but he has not committed serious offences and these offences were out of character for him.”

Mr Smith added: "The reality was he was desperate to continue to feed his drug habit and he has gone to extreme measures to the concern of the people going about their business in the shop.”

Stead is genuinely remorseful and realises he cannot go on like this, according to Mr Smith.

Judge Rachael Harrison told Stead: “These are two very serious robberies on subsequent days. You endeavoured to cover your face in each. In one, you produced a bamboo cane, and in another, you produced a hammer waving it at a staff member and saying ‘come on then’.”

Judge Harrison sentenced Stead to 40-months of custody.