Man jailed after 'terrifying' attempted knifepoint robberies in Staffordshire market town

Ryan Slater, aged 34, from Burton-upon-Trent, was sentenced to five-years-and-ten-months at Stafford Crown Court on Friday (1 May) after attempted knifepoint robberies.

Slater admitted two counts of attempted robbery, two counts of possession of a knife blade, sharp pointed article in a public place and one count of robbery.

In one incident at 5.35am on 25 February last year, Slater left his house with a knife.

He threatened a man who was stood at a bus stop on Horninglow Road with the knife whilst demanding money and the victim gave him £5.

Slater then entered a shop on the same road and threatened two members of staff inside with the knife, demanding that they hand over the till.

When another customer entered the shop, Slater left the scene without taking anything.

Officers were waiting at his home when he arrived and, following a short foot chase, he was arrested.

In another incident on Saturday 24 January this year, Slater entered a different shop on Horninglow Road with a knife and demanded that staff hand over the till.

He attempted to open the till before running away - nothing was taken.

He was identified following a review of CCTV footage.

East Staffordshire Police Constable Joshua Walker said: “Slater attempted three terrifying knifepoint robberies and despite him only being given money on one occasion, we do not underestimate the impact that these incidents had on all the victims.

“Slater initially responded ‘no comment’ to all questions in custody, but we worked tirelessly to gather evidence against him which led to him pleading guilty in court.”