A robber who wore a Batman mask even as he threatened terrified workforce at a shop with a knife has been jailed for more than sixteen years. Paul Stewart Godden, 35, went right into a newsagents and positioned a knife and bag on the counter, a court docket heard. As the member of body of workers looked up, they noticed the man changed into sporting a masks usually worn through the Caped Crusader. He then demanded cash and cigarettes however the member of group of workers refused and become able to alert other people to the incident. Godden, nevertheless sporting the mask, made his escape through jumping over the counter and strolling out of the again door. Study more : cash machine left extensive open with money uncovered - but one man changed into extremely sincere He fled empty handed following the incident in August ultimate yr in Chatham, Kent. Later the same day at 9pm, Godden entered a Co-Op store in the town protecting knives.
This time he blanketed his face with a headscarf at the same time as he demanded that the until became opened. He stashed a bag with cash from the until and then ordered group of workers to take him to the secure, earlier than he left with a total of £2,540 in coins and 60 packets of cigarettes. Detectives reviewed CCTV footage of each incidents and completed great enquiries and officials identified the suspect on foot alongside a avenue. Godden became arrested and subsequently charged the following day. Godden, of Gillingham, Kent had denied committing a theft and an tried theft just hours aside in Chatham but he changed his pleas to guilty all through a trial at Maidstone Crown courtroom. He was sentenced to a complete of sixteen years and 4 months in prison when he appeared at Maidstone Crown courtroom today. Examine greater : Asperger’s teenager's jaw broken in three places after thugs stamp on him throughout 'bloodbath' theft Detective Constable James Chichester, investigating officer at Kent Police, said: "Godden positioned his sufferers thru a terrifying ordeal, threatening them with a knife at the same time as traumatic they hand over coins. "He may have felt effective on the time of the incidents, but he is now dealing with the cruel fact of his crime and spending years in the back of bars. "Godden can also have tried to disguise his identify by way of carrying a masks, however eagle-eyed officers swept in once they spotted him in Gillingham."
"however the genuine heroes in this situation are the victims, considered one of which became subjected to giving proof in court after Godden persisted to deny any duty for his moves," he persevered. "Godden changed his pleas to guilty after listening to the sizable quantity of evidence detectives had built up in opposition to him. "The police work to identify suspects and bring offenders to justice will now not stop; we can hold to paintings hard to preserve our groups safe."
