Dangerous man with large kitchen knife stole cash from village shop

A 'dangerous' man has been jailed for carrying out a robbery at knifepoint in a Somerset village. Ian Gant, 48, threatened a member of staff at a shop in Batheaston High Street with a large kitchen knife on Monday, February 19 before stealing cash from the shop's till.

In a statement, read out during the sentencing hearing at Bristol Crown Court today (April 23), the victim said she had suffered long-term effects from the robbery. "This incident has changed who I am, from my whole personality to my feelings of security and even to little things such as not caring what I look like and feeling like I can’t wear nice clothes,” her statement said.

“I feel like I am not the same person anymore.” After pleading guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article last month. Gant, of no fixed address, was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison.

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Gant was identified through CCTV enquiries and witness statement before being arrested by police officers in Wales. DC James Robinson said: “No one should have to endure such a terrifying ordeal and I’d like to praise the bravery of the victim in coming forward.

“This sentence has taken a dangerous individual, who was willing to use a weapon and force to obtain what he wanted, off the streets. He was identified quickly through our enquiries and arrested shortly after.

“It also reflects the magnitude of the offence and shows that those who commit crime involving knives and extreme levels of fear will receive a significant punishment for doing so.”