Robber armed with knife jailed after targeting two Doncaster shops

An armed robber who struck twice at two shops to try and get cash to buy drugs has been jailed.
By Jon Cooper
Published 22nd Apr 2020, 07:36 BST
Updated 11th May 2020, 16:28 BST
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 20 how Andrew Harrison, aged 27, of Cambridge Street, Mexborough, Doncaster, struck at Heritage Booze Barn and at a nearby Premier Stores shop at Mexborough while armed with a knife between 8am and 9am, on March 6.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC told Harrison: “I accept you weren’t under the influence of drugs but the catalyst was your lust for cash in order to purchase drugs.”

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Susan Evans, prosecuting, said Harrison was carrying a large knife when he went to The Heritage Booze Barn and demanded money and grabbed a carton of fruit and dropped it before leaving.

Pictured is Andrew Harrison, aged 27, of Cambridge Street, Mexborough, Doncaster, who has been jailed for five-years and four-months after pleading guilty to a robbery, an attempted robbery, and an attempted theft and to possessing a knife in public.Pictured is Andrew Harrison, aged 27, of Cambridge Street, Mexborough, Doncaster, who has been jailed for five-years and four-months after pleading guilty to a robbery, an attempted robbery, and an attempted theft and to possessing a knife in public.
Pictured is Andrew Harrison, aged 27, of Cambridge Street, Mexborough, Doncaster, who has been jailed for five-years and four-months after pleading guilty to a robbery, an attempted robbery, and an attempted theft and to possessing a knife in public.

The defendant also tried to take a purse from a customer before he fled, according to Ms Evans.

Ms Evans said Harrison then went to the Premier Stores shop and when the shopkeeper refused to give him money he grabbed a tin with cash.

Harrison pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, robbery, attempted theft and to possessing a knife in public.

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Pamela Coxon, defending, said Harrison has problems with anxiety and depression and after struggling with medication he began self-medicating with cannabis and became addicted to crack-cocaine.

She added Harrison is regretful and remorseful but he was spending his wages on cocaine and was not paying his rent and he became desperate.

Judge Richardson QC sentenced Harrison to five-years and four-months of custody.