Man threatened customers with knife at Sheffield petrol station less than 24 HOURS after prison release

George Howell threatened petrol station customers with a knife less than 24 hours after being released from prison last month.

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The 44-year-old, of no fixed abode, was arrested on January 23 after he threatened customers at the Esso Petrol Station, Prince of Wales Road, Manor, with a 30cm kitchen knife.

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Sheffield Crown Court heard how he used the knife to intimidate customers into giving him money.

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When customers refused to hand over any cash he flashed a blade, which had been hidden in the waistband of his trousers.

He was tasered by police officers alerted to the incident.

PC Tom Holliday, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “We attended the petrol station following reports that Howell had been approaching customers asking for money and when the customers refused, he flashed a large knife that was hidden in the waistband of his trousers.

“As we approach Howell, he again began to reach for the knife. He was tasered and arrested.”

Howell was sentenced to 10 weeks behind bars for the incident.

PC Holliday added: “We are committed to tackling violent crime and those who use weapons on our streets to cause fear and harm our communities will not be tolerated.

“I am pleased to hear that Howell has been given a custodial sentence and hope it acts as a reminder to others.”