Adam Hawkins, 44, has been jailed for 56 months after he threatened a shop worker with a gun and made off with more than £1,000 cash. The incident occurred at Lea Garage on the A40 in Herefordshire on February 18.
Hawkins, of Hazel Road in Drybrook, Gloucestershire, was convicted of robbery and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday, August 5. He was also ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge and disqualified from driving for 46 months.
Threat and Theft
During the incident, Hawkins entered the garage and told the shop assistant that he had a gun. He demanded cash, saying, "Give me all the money or I will come back," before fleeing with over £1,000.
The victim was left shaken by the ordeal, which police described as "terrifying." Officers from West Mercia Police tracked Hawkins down and arrested him. He was charged in March, and his case proceeded to sentencing in August.
Sentencing and Court Details
At Worcester Crown Court, Hawkins received a 56-month sentence for the robbery offence and a concurrent 40-month sentence for the imitation firearm offence. The judge also imposed the victim surcharge and driving disqualification.
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: "An armed robber has been sentenced to four years and eight months in prison for targeting a garage in Herefordshire in February. Adam Hawkins, 44, of Hazel Road, Drybrook, Gloucestershire, appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday, August 5 where he was convicted of robbery and having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence."
Police Statement and Impact
The spokesperson added: "Hawkins was sentenced to 56 months for the robbery offence, ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge and disqualified from driving for 46 months. He was sentenced to 40 months for the imitation firearm offence to run concurrently."
Hawkins' mugshot shows him smiling, which has drawn attention to the case. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime, which involved threatening a worker with an imitation firearm and stealing a significant amount of money.
The victim surcharge and driving ban are additional penalties that Hawkins must comply with. The concurrent sentences mean he will serve a total of 56 months in prison.
