Man who threatened Cleveleys takeaway worker with pickaxe during robbery jailed
“Staff at takeaways and shops are entitled to go about their business without being subjected to threats of violence.”
Andrew Sergeant confronted a staff member at the takeaway on Rossall Road, brandishing the pickaxe and claiming he was owed money for contractor work he had previously done at the premises.
Sergeant was handed £45 from the till and left the shop.
It happened around 10.40pm on March 14 this year, with Sergeant seen arriving nearby in a grey-coloured VW Caddy which was registered to him.
He went into a convenience store next door to the takeaway, bought cans of beer and had a conversation with shop staff.
Sergeant then returned to his vehicle, got the pickaxe, briefly entered the convenience store again, before going next door to the takeaway.
There he told the staff member, ‘You owe me £50 from three years ago for a pest control job’ and threatened to cause damage.
After being handed cash, Sergeant went back to the convenience store, still holding the pickaxe and with a handful of bank notes.
Lancashire Police launched an investigation, and a pickaxe was recovered from the driveway at Sergeant’s home address. He was arrested on March 17.
Sergeant, 42, of Woodland Avenue, Thornton, appeared at Preston Crown Court earlier on November 9 for sentence after pleading guilty to robbery.
He also admitted driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
Sergeant was jailed for three years and nine months and made subject of a restraining order regarding his victim.
Det Con Jake Begley of Blackpool CID, said: “Andrew Sergeant used a large construction pickaxe to threaten a member of the takeaway staff with.
“It was a fearsome weapon and put the staff member in fear that violence would be used and damage caused to the shop.
“Staff at takeaways and shops are entitled to go about their business without being subjected to threats of violence.”