Brave shopkeeper told robbers to 'get out' - then they pulled a knife
A brave shopkeeper fended off two hooded robbers before they pulled a Stanley knife on him and said it was "nothing personal". Steven Mohammed, 33, and Michael Dalton-Truscott, 34, robbed £160 from the cashier who was working alone at the time.
Mohammed, of Quintrell Close in Quintrell Downs, and Dalton-Truscott, of Newquay, formerly of Pengegon Park in Camborne, wore hooded tops and covered their faces when they barged into the Premier shop on Linden Road in Newquay. The pair appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, October 11, having both pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one of possession of a knife/blade.
The incident, which occurred on July 7, 2022, at around 9.40pm, saw Dalton-Truscott demand money from the employee. When the shopkeeper refused, the defendant went behind the till and tried to put the shopkeeper in a headlock but was fended off.
The court heard how Mohammed then told the employee 'give him the money, he has a knife'. The victim told them to get out of the shop and said they didn't have a knife or they would have shown it.
Mohammed then produced a two-inch Stanley knife and handed it to his accomplice. The shopkeeper then told them to take the money in the till, amounting to £160. Mohammed said it was 'nothing personal' and they'd return the money.
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Mohammed was arrested later that night and initially denied his involvement, until he saw CCTV footage. He then denied any weapon was used.
Truscott was arrested at a later date and gave a no-comment interview. His DNA was found on a hooded top near the scene and a distinctive tattoo was visible on CCTV footage, identifying him.
Katie Churcher, representing Mohammed, said his life had gone into turmoil due to a relationship breakdown and subsequent homelessness. She said he found himself using drugs and that he wasn't trying to minimise his behaviour but that he had "successfully turned his life around" and was no longer using.
Representing Dalton-Truscott, Michael Green said he too is a different man to who he was then. He said the former military man and father was "struggling emotionally" at the time and that he had lost his employment, relationship and accommodation. He said as a result he began associating with people in a similar situation, living on the streets and drinking, but was now 12 months sober.
His Honour Judge James Adkin sentenced Mohammed to 36 months imprisonment and Dalton Truscott to 32 months imprisonment.