Jail for man who robbed shop using BB gun and bar

A man who robbed vape liquids from a shop while threatening its owner with a metal bar and a BB gun has been jailed for six years and eight months.

Alan Carter-Ashton left a "trail of destruction" during the violent attack on the shopkeeper in the Skellow area of Doncaster on 8 January, according to South Yorkshire Police.

The 46-year-old smashed a glass counter before the shop's owner grappled with him and pushed him out of the store.

Carter-Ashton, of Lodge Road, Carcroft, was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday after admitting robbery, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and possessing an imitation firearm.

Police said the shopkeeper had managed to press a panic alarm button before forcing Carter-Ashton, a prolific shoplifter, out of the store.

He fled the scene on a bike, but because he was caught on CCTV he was traced by officers.

He had stolen £8.97 worth of vape liquids during the raid and caused £380 worth of damage to the shop, police added.

Det Con Joseph Albutt said it was an "horrific armed robbery which could have resulted in serious injury to an innocent shopkeeper".

Albutt said the victim had shown "immense bravery and quick-thinking in defending the store and apprehending Carter-Ashton".

"The ordeal he went through, however, is simply unacceptable," he added.

"No retail worker deserves to be threatened, harassed, abused or assaulted in the workplace."

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