A man has been jailed in connection with a robbery at a supermarket in Bushey.
On March 26, 2023, 38-year-old Robert Dorkings entered the Budgens store in High Road and approached the till point under the pretence he was paying for a can of drink.
He then jumped over the counter, produced a weapon and demanded that the till was opened.
Fearing for their safety, staff members ran to seek help. When they returned, cash and cigarettes had been stolen and Dorkings had fled, leaving a hammer at the scene.
An extensive investigation was launched, which included reviewing hours of CCTV footage and automatic number plate recognition data.
Dorkings, of Whitchurch Lane, Edgware, was subsequently identified as a suspect through DNA left on the hammer.
He was arrested on April 1, 2023, and subsequently appeared in court, charged with the following offences:
- Two counts of robbery, in relation to the incident in Bushey and a robbery at a Waitrose store in Harrow.
- Possession of Class A (heroin).
- Two counts of making off without payment for petrol.
- Possession of criminal property, in relation to a vehicle stolen from Thames Valley.
He was found guilty of the robberies by a jury and had previously pleaded guilty to the other offences.
He was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday, April 15, to eight years imprisonment plus three years extended.
Detective Constable Mollie Goodwin, from the Hertsmere Local Crime Unit, led the investigation and said: “Thankfully no one was hurt as a result of Dorkings’ offending but his actions understandably left staff members fearing for their safety.
“He has a number of previous convictions, and I’m pleased that he is now off our streets.”
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