Jamie Albrighton sentenced to 15 months for robbery

On Saturday 3 February, Jamie Albrighton used the threat of violence against a shopworker to steal meat and cleaning products from a shop.

At around 10am, Albrighton, 35 of McMahon Road in Bedworth, entered a shop on Goodyers End Lane in Bedworth with a black carrier bag.

He proceeded to put various meat and cleaning products into the bag before attempting to leave the store.

Albrighton was recognised instore as someone who they believed to have shoplifted previously, and a member of staff attempted to confront him on his way out.

On CCTV, Albrighton appears to reach into his pocket with his free hand, pulling out an item which the staff member claimed looked like a knife, and another member of staff claimed was noticeably silver.

The staff member claims that Albrighton told her to “back the f**k up”, causing her to fear violence and to back away, pressing her panic alarm. At this point, the police were called.

Albrighton then left the store. He was arrested three days later at his home on McMahon Road, where on police entry he attempted to hide himself under a duvet down the side of his bed.

In interview, Albrighton claimed the item in his pocket was a capped needle, and that he was attempting to demonstrate that he was stealing from the shop because he was a drug addict.

He said that he sold the items on for the purpose of buying heroin. The needle was on-hand to use after he had sold the meat and cleaning products and used the proceeds to purchase drugs.

At Coventry Magistrates Court on 8 March, Albrighton was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

DS Pickard said “Albrighton used the threat of violence to ensure he could leave the store with the items he had stolen and intended to use not to support a struggling household, but rather to feed a heroin habit.

“Drug addictions ruins the lives of the users, and the lives of the people and businesses they exploit and terrorise to further their habit.

“Albrighton has received over a year in prison, and we hope that he uses this time to consider his actions and seek help.”