Knife-Wielding Thief Jailed for Robbing Co-Op and Elderly Woman
A 44-year-old man who threatened a shop worker with kitchen knives before burgling an 80-year-old woman has been locked up for seven years.
Knife Threat in Peterborough Road Co-Op
Andrew Allen stormed into the Co-Op on Peterborough Road, Eye, at 8.40pm on 13 May. He shoved a customer aside, pulled two large kitchen knives, and demanded the female cashier “open the till”. Wearing a facemask, Allen soon realised there was no direct access to the till from the front. He tried to enter from the side, but a quick-thinking staff member stopped him. Allen then fled the scene on a bike.
Targeting an Elderly Victim Hours Later
Hours later, Allen struck again—this time breaking into an 80-year-old woman’s home in Eye. The woman woke up to find a smashed window, her money and bank cards stolen, and her purse and bag emptied on the living room floor. A wedding ring and engagement ring were also taken.
Cash Withdrawn Using Stolen Bank Cards
Using the stolen card, Allen withdrew £670 in total. He took £250 from a petrol station at Peterborough One Shopping Park, another £250 from the SPAR on Welland Road, and £170 from the Post Office on Central Avenue.
Following CCTV footage from the burglary and shop robbery, detectives tracked Allen down in Bretton after linking both crimes. He even booked a taxi after the house break-in, which helped lead authorities straight to him.
Seven Years Behind Bars for a String of Crimes
Allen, from Peartree Lane, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, possession of a knife in public, burglary, fraud, and possession of a class B drug. He was sentenced yesterday at Cambridge Crown Court.
“Allen’s actions towards the staff members at the Co-Op were disgraceful and very frightening for them. Not only did he threaten someone with a knife, disgustingly he thought it was acceptable to burgle the home of an elderly woman and steal money and items from her,” said Detective Constable George Corney.
“These are the actions of a coward and I am pleased Allen is now behind bars where he can reflect on his immoral behaviour.”
