Bolton: Astley Bridge and Morrisons robber sentenced

Shane Rhodes, 34, first robbed a branch of Morrisons on Brownlow Way, Bolton, at around 9am on January 26 this year.

There had been two shopworkers there at the time and Bolton Crown Court heard how they were alarmed to see the robber come up to them with his face covered.

John Barratt, prosecuting, said: “He approached the till area with a string pulled all the way on his hood to cover his face.”

Shane Rhodes (Image: GMP)

Mr Barratt told the court how Rhodes, of Claremont Court, then produced a hammer and a written note, demanding that one of the shopworkers open the till and that another hand over cigarettes.

The 34-year-old then made his escape with £575 and an unknown number of cigarattes and leaving behind two deeply distressed Morrisons employees.

Mr Ahmed and Mr Musa helped to detain Rhodes (Image: Newsquest)

According to Mr Barratt, one his since suffered panic attacks while another has felt he had to change his job.

But the very next morning, Rhodes, who has 10 previous convictions for 20 offences, was stopped in his tracks when he tried to rob another shop, this time the Bridge Wine and News off licence on Blackburn Road.

A knife was found at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Barratt said: “Once again he had his face covered and this time he was carrying a knife.”

But shopkeeper Imtiaz Ahmed resisted and struggle lasting around two minutes ensued.

Rhodes took around £200 from the till but before he could make his escape, Mr Ahmed was able to shout and raise the alarm prompting nearby members of the public including Imran Musa to arrive and help him.

They were able to restrain Rhodes, who appeared before the court via video link from prison in Birmingham until the police arrived.

Police were called to Blackburn Road (Image: Newsquest)

He then pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

Craig MacGregor, defending, argued that Rhodes deserved credit for admitting his crimes and told the court that he had behaved erratically ever since receiving a head injury in an accident at a young age.

He said: “There was nothing before that and it seems to have had a causative effect, for whatever reason, brought on by the mental health conditions resulting from that.”

Mr MacGregor told the court how Rhodes had been left with an “impulsive personality” and “lack of reasoning”, though he was now deeply remorseful.

He said: “But that does not excuse what he has done and he knows what he did was wrong.”

Judge Timothy Clayson accepted that Rhodes was entitled to credit and that his injury had clearly influenced him but reminded the court of the seriousness of his crimes.

He said: “I’m not persuaded in any sense that he didn’t know that robbing people was wrong, it seems to be that he did know that.”

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Addressing the defendant, he added: “You knew perfectly well that robbing people is a serious criminal offence.”

Judge Clayson sentenced Rhodes to a total of six years in prison.

Before the case concluded, an emotional Shane Rhodes asked to address the judge a final time.

He said: “Can I just add how sorry I am for these offences and how I will do all I can to better myself, thank you.”