Yahoo News Robber jailed after pointing 'gun' at shopkeeper before fleeing with stolen crate of Stella
A robber pulled the trigger of an imitation firearm to terrify the shopkeeper of a Grimsby store as he fled with a crate of stolen Stella Artois.
When the gun failed to fire and the shopkeeper realised it was an imitation gun, he gave chase. Father-of-two, Liam Finnie, 33, of Lord Street, Grimsby admitted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.
A further offence of assault on a police officer, who was trying to assist him in hospital, was also admitted. Prosecuting, Claire Holmes said the armed raid on the shop on Cartergate, Grimsby was at 2.20pm on March 12, this year.
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Closed circuit television cameras recorded Finnie in the aisle with the selection of alcohol. He picked up a crate of Stella Artois and walked towards the shop door brandishing the imitation firearm.
Miss Holmes said: "He told the shopkeeper '"Don't move'" and still holding the gun, he pulled the trigger, which clicked. When he realised it was not real, he (the shopkeeper) gave chase."
The court heard how Finnie dropped the crate of alcohol and later discarded the gun. When police found it, they discovered it was a BB gun which had been painted black to give it a realistic appearance.
Police later arrested Finnie at 3.55pm. The prosecutor said the defendant was taken to hospital due to his heavily intoxicated state. She told the court he became abusive towards officers and spat at one of them. In interview with police the following day, Finnie gave no comment but admitted he was "off his face" on valium.
The prosecutor listed his previous 21 convictions, which included possession of an imitation firearm and assault with intent to rob.
Miss Holmes said the offence was aggravated by the intoxicated state of the defendant who left the shopkeeper "scared for his life." She said he was left with "more than minimal psychological effects."
For Finnie, Michael Forrest said his client had "fallen back into his old habits of taking valium" after a long spell of non-offending. Most of his convictions were when he was a juvenile.
The defence barrister said: "He still does not know why. He recognises the futility and the madness of it. He questions what he was trying to do. He was not thinking beyond that he needed alcohol." Letters in reference, were submitted on his behalf. Mr Forrest said: "He is deeply ashamed and embarrassed that his daughter has to come to see him in prison."
Sentencing Finnie, Judge Paul Watson KC said the robbery had left the shopkeeper with "significant lasting effects."
He added: "You were highly intoxicated. At the hospital, where the police were trying to help you, you were using hostile language and spitting."
The judge said he was surprised that after a long spell of not committing offences, Finnie had carried out an offence of such severity. He jailed Finnie for four years for the robbery and three years for possession of an imitation firearm. The sentences will run concurrently, along with a concurrent sentence of one month for assaulting an emergency worker.
He imposed a Restraining Order, banning Finnie from entering the store for five years. Speaking after the robbery to Grimsby Live, the shop owner, who did not wish to be named, said: "He came in and was here for about five minutes, he couldn't make his mind up about what he wanted.
"He was looking at the wines, spirits and beers and about five minutes later, he decided what he wanted and when he was approaching the counter, he was pointing a gun at me.
"He kept telling me not to move. He didn't tell me to open the till or anything, he just told me not to move. It made me scared, I was scared afterwards too, and I'm still in shock."
