Shop robber was chased and caught after making knife threat to …

Liam Green

A man chased down by staff and a brave bystander after stealing expensive jackets during a robbery at Penrith’s Go Outdoors store has been jailed.

Employees at the Ullswater Road shop became suspicious of two would-be thieves and moved towards them on the late morning of April 11 this year.

A staff member sought to confront one of the men, 28-year-old Liam Green, who said: “I am on the run from the police. I am going to take these jackets. I do have a knife. I will use it.”

Green was incredibly close but did nothing with his hands to suggest he actually did have a blade, Carlisle Crown Court heard today.

The experienced employee — threatened with a syringe during a previous incident while working in retail  — responded: “Do you what you want but don’t threaten me.”

He was unsure whether Green’s threat was genuine but remained aware of the dangerous possibility he may have a knife.

Green essentially bear-hugged a large number of jackets, the court heard, to remove them from a rail before he and the other man fled.

“Other members of staff gave chase, running up the road outside the store,” said prosecutor Andrew Evans. “Assisted by a passing motorist they were able to catch up and corner them in a cul de sac.

“They fled over a wall and were chased over a playing field. Green was found cycling nearby, wearing a stolen jacket, and in possession of four more.”

The second thief was found hiding in a garden with more loot nearby.

Upon arrest Green stated that the pair had travelled from Preston on a bit of a bender and needed money. The total value of jackets stolen was £1,640.

Green, latterly off Leyland Road, Penwortham, Lancashire, admitted robbery and was jailed for 20 months — plus two weeks, consecutively, for failing to attend an earlier court hearing — by Judge Richard Archer.

A letter penned by the defendant was described by the judge as eloquent and contained heartfelt remorse.

But Judge Archer told Green: “Nobody going about their jobs serving and interacting with members of the public expects, deserves or should ever have to be faced with threats from people such as you; including a threat that they would be harmed by a knife.

“Your intention in making that threat was clear. It was despicable.”

• The second man, 25-year-old Jamie Higginson, was jailed at an earlier magistrates’ court hearing after admitting theft.