A man was imprisoned for stealing from a store and menacing another individual with a knife in Chichester.
Robert Sheppard, aged 41, without a permanent address, was handed a 20-month prison sentence in connection with an incident on Monday, 4 September, at the North Street Sports Direct.
He shoplifted two joggers priced at £159 each and subsequently brandished a knife at the employees.
Thanks to a quick response by the police and assistance from a civilian, Sheppard was apprehended within minutes, even as he attempted to flee.
At his appearance in Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday, 4 October, Sheppard admitted to having a knife, using it to threaten, and shoplifting. He was slapped with a fine of £187 and received a 24-month Serious Violence Reduction Order (SVRO), a precedent for West Sussex.
For the next two years, this order grants police the authority to frisk Sheppard in public places to ensure he isn’t in possession of a weapon.
Sergeant Sam Milsom said: “Sheppard is a dangerous individual who carries knifes upon himself, having no regard to the public safety.
“This is a terrifying ordeal and not something that anyone who goes to work would expect to deal with.
“Sheppard has rightly received a custodial sentence and will be subject to a SVRO when released from custody.
“I would like to thank the member of the public who aided police that day in apprehending Sheppard as he fled from officers. It’s people like them who help police lock away violent and dangerous offenders.”
