Four years for man who attacked shopkeeper with knife

A 20-YEAR-OLD who used a large kitchen knife to rob a shopkeeper of 800 to pay off a drug debt has been jailed for four years.Mathew Parry, of Armour Close, Longford, targeted Mukti's Mini Supermarket, on Pasture Lane, Padgate with an accomplice who has not been identified on Friday, January 26.Despite trying to cover up his face police officers soon recognised Parry from CCTV taken at the time of the attack.Warrington Crown Court heard on Monday how Parry had been smoking cannabis that morning and during the afternoon had begun hatching the plot to pay of his drug debt.The pair were initially planning to raid another shop but at the last minute changed their mind and walked into the shop at 7.40pm, soon after the shopkeeper had put ￡800 in his pocket to take to the cash and carry after work.Rob Jones, prosecuting, said: "The two men approached the front counter, both had face coverings - one had a T-shirt, the other a snood and shouted 'give us the money'."One of the males pushed over a display and they began to move around the counter and pulled out two large kitchen knives."The terrified shopkeeper handed over the money in his pocket and the pair made off. The following day after suspecting Parry officers arrived at a property on Vulcan Close, Padgate, and when arrested told them "I know I'm wanted but how did you know it was me?".Mr Jones added: "He said he could assist them in the recovery of the clothing he was wearing and the knife.

"He made full and frank admissions in interview saying he had spent the morning smoking cannabis, he spoke of pressing debt problems and it might be on way out of it."They split the 800 and three quarters paid his drug debt, the rest was spent on buying cannabis."The court heard he had a long record of minor offences but this was the most serious charge he had faced.Kitchen Dwellers, Lil' Smokies, Whitewater Ramble.Simeon Evans, defending, said Parry was aware how serious his position was despite pleading guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed weapon.He was handed a four year sentence for robbery and a further 12 weeks for breaching a suspended sentence to run consecutively.