Jeremy McIntosh, 41, of Knowle Road, Sparkhill, has been jailed for three years and nine months after his attempted robbery of an Asda Express store on Stratford Road, Birmingham, went badly wrong. He admitted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday, August 21.
The incident took place on December 30. McIntosh first posed as a customer, loitering inside the store before leaving and returning at 8.54pm wearing a balaclava and gloves and carrying a hammer.
Worker fought back
McIntosh jumped onto the counter and tried to smash open the till, but was confronted by shop worker Nirosham Bambarandage. Despite being injured during the scuffle, Mr Bambarandage managed to force McIntosh outside and lock him out of the store.
Mr Bambarandage suffered a cut to his finger and pain to his ribs as a result of the confrontation.
Court remarks
Recorder David Outterside told McIntosh: "Your intention was this would be a clean exercise without a hitch. What happened of course was that Mr Bambarandage fought back to defend his store."
The court heard that McIntosh's offending was 'underpinned by heroin use' and that he had a 'difficult and deprived upbringing'.
Sentencing outcome
McIntosh was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence, which involved a weapon and an attempt to steal from a local business.
The case highlights the risks faced by retail workers and the consequences for those who attempt such crimes. The sentence was handed down at Birmingham Crown Court, and McIntosh will now serve his term in custody.
