During the early evening of 23 October 2023, Michael Briggs entered a store in the High Street and purchased some crisps. He left the premises and a few minutes later returned armed with a knife. Briggs then threatened a shop assistant with the weapon and demanded money from the cash till. His victim refused and when another customer came in, he agreed to leave.
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The police were alerted and when patrols arrived at the scene he was located and told to put down the knife. When Briggs refused and put his hand in a pocket where the weapon was suspected to be located, further warnings were given, before it was necessary for an officer to discharge a Taser. He was arrested and a craft knife was seized. Briggs, of Battlefields, Wrotham was later charged with attempted robbery and possession of a knife in a public place. He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Wednesday 31 January 2024, the 35-year-old was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment. He will also be subject to a 10-year restraining order upon his release.
