Knife-wielding thief jailed after stabbing hero who tried to stop supermarket robbery
Five-and-a-half years for violent spree in West Drayton
Barry Whittle, 20, from Peplow Close, Hillingdon, has been locked up for five years and six months. The sentence follows a terrifying spree where he repeatedly robbed a West Drayton supermarket and attacked anyone who got in his way.
Repeated robberies armed with knives and screwdrivers
Whittle’s reign of terror at the Chantry Close shop lasted two weeks in October 2019. He hit the same store five times, always armed – sometimes with a knife, other times with a screwdriver.
On 17 October, things turned nasty. After stealing nine bottles of vodka, Whittle threatened shop security with a knife. When a brave member of the public grabbed him, Whittle stabbed the man in the shoulder and also attacked the man’s teenage daughter who tried to help.
Dodgy deeds beyond the supermarket
His crimes didn’t stop there. Whittle also broke into a car in Frays Avenue on 6 October and used a stolen card to buy goods from a local newsagent.
Detective Sergeant Reda Imane said: “A dangerous man will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars. Whittle had no qualms threatening staff or using his knife against a member of the public who tried to stop him.”
“He plagued supermarket staff, putting them in genuine fear. I hope his prison sentence offers them, and those who stood up to him, some reassurance.”
Whittle pleads guilty to string of offences
At Isleworth Crown Court on 21 November 2019, Whittle admitted to numerous charges including:
- Attempted robbery at Chantry Close supermarket (3 October 2019)
- Theft and fraud in Frays Avenue (6 and 7 October 2019)
- Robbery and possession of a bladed article at Chantry Close (11 October 2019)
- Two robberies and three counts of carrying a bladed article at Chantry Close (14 October 2019)
- Possession of a bladed article at High Street supermarket (16 October 2019)
- Robbery, possession of a bladed article, grievous bodily harm and assault at Chantry Close (17 October 2019)
Justice has been served for the West Drayton community as Barry Whittle faces a long stretch behind bars.
