Knife-wielding shop thief nabbed and locked up for 20 months
Violent robbery at Sports Direct
Robert Sheppard, 41, a homeless man with no fixed address, has been jailed for 20 months after a terrifying incident at Sports Direct on North Street. On Monday 4 September, Sheppard stole two pairs of joggers each worth £159 and threatened staff with a knife.
Swift police action leads to quick arrest
A member of the public helped police catch Sheppard just minutes after the robbery, despite his attempt to flee the scene. He was promptly arrested and charged.
Guilty plea and sentencing
Sheppard pleaded guilty to knife possession, threatening with a knife, and shop theft. He appeared at Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday 4 October for sentencing. Along with 20 months behind bars, he was fined £187 and slapped with a 24-month Serious Violence Reduction Order (SVRO) — the first ever issued in West Sussex.
New powers to keep public safe
The SVRO gives police the authority to search Sheppard in public to ensure he isn’t carrying offensive weapons for the next two years. Sergeant Sam Milsom warned:
“Sheppard is a dangerous individual who carries knives upon himself, having no regard to public safety. This is a terrifying ordeal and not something that anyone who goes to [Sports Direct] 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.”
