Knife robbery accused makes first court appearance

The scene of one of the alleged attempted robberies at Tesco Express, on Highfield Road

Gary Boyd is also alleged to have slashed the face of a shopper with a knife, scarring him for life, after the man tried to tackle him.

The 37-year-old, of no fixed address, faces two charges of robbery, three charges of attempted robbery and a charge of maliciously wounding a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He is also accused of possessing an imitation firearm in the form of a metal pipe adapted to look like a gun and possessing a knife in public.

Boyd is alleged to have robbed the Premier Store, St Annes Road, South Shore, making off with an unknown amount of cash, on May 6.

He is also said to have robbed the Highfield News shop of an unknown amount of cash and attempted to rob B&M Bargains, Tesco Express, and Premier Express, all in Highfield Road, South Shore, on May 7.

Boyd, who was wearing jeans, a red jumper and a black jacket, was accompanied in the dock by one security officer and spoke only to confirm his name, age and lack of address during the three-minute court hearing.

Prosecutor Pam Smith said the case must be heard at crown court.

Defence lawyer, Brett Chappell, did not ask for bail for his client.

Boyd was remanded in custody to appear at Preston Crown Court on June 13 by District Judge Jeff Brailsford sitting at Blackpool Magistrates' Court.