Jail for armed robber who 'shamelessly terrorised' women with gun in Sheffield shop raids

Ricky Goacher held up a pawnbrokers and hairdressers in two raids in Sheffield on the same day – threatening workers with an imitation gun.

In the first, the 31-year-old, of Gresley Road, Lowedges, targeted a pawnbrokers on Angel Street.

South Yorkshire Police said Goacher marched into the shop and pointed a black handgun directly at the shop assistant.

She ran, screaming, to the back of the shop to alert a colleague and both women locked themselves in a stock room, where they dialled 999.

A short time later, Goacher held up a hairdressers on Fulwood Road, where he demanded money whilst brandishing the same handgun.

After pleading guilty to two armed robberies and possession of an imitation firearm, Goacher was jailed for seven years and seven months over the incidents.

Detective Constable Yvonne Fairbrother said: “The first incident happened at a pawnbroker on Angel Street in the city centre, where Goacher marched into the shop and pointed a black handgun directly at the shop assistant.

“Fearing for her life, she ran screaming to the back of the shop to alert her colleague. Both women locked themselves in a stock room, before calling police. Goacher was caught on CCTV inside the shop and fleeing the premises.

“A short time later, police were alerted to a second incident at a hairdresser on Fulwood Road, where Goacher demanded money whilst brandishing the same handgun.

“In this second incident, Goacher threatened the hairdresser who met him at the door telling her to stay quiet and just hand over the cash.”

Goacher was arrested a few days later in connection with unrelated offences and was identified him as the robbery suspect.

DC Fairbrother added: “Goacher shamelessly terrorised people in their workplaces that day and he deserves to be behind bars.“We are committed to bringing offenders like him to justice and I hope the public are reassured by this.”

Anyone with information about crimes in Sheffield should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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