Sheffield thug threatened Co-op manager with syringe and stabbed worker during raids

Sheffield Crown Court heard on March 5 how Wesley Glover, aged 29, formerly of Highgate, Tinsley, Sheffield, struck at Co-ops on Southey Green Road, Sheffield, on Bevan Way, Chapeltown, Sheffield, and on Keresforth Hall Road, Barnsley, in July, 2020.

Judge Michael Slater said: “The robberies escalated in seriousness as time went on and involved the use of a weapon on each occasion. Firstly, a syringe, secondly a knife and also a knife on the third occasion.”

Ian Goldsack, prosecuting, said Glover had a basket with meat at the Co-op on Southey Green Road on July 17 and as a suspicious manager tried to take it from him a struggle ensued before the defendant was forced out of the store.

But Mr Goldsack added Glover returned waving a syringe towards the manager and he forced him to open a till and he stole cash notes.

During a second robbery at a Co-op on Bevan Way on July 19, Glover barged into a kiosk where a female staff member was working, according to Mr Goldsack, and he was armed with something like a craft knife before a manager opened the till and deposit box and the defendant escaped with about £1,700.

Glover also raided the Co-op on Keresforth Hall Road, Barnsley, on July 20, where he told a staff member to open a till before struggling with the employee and repeatedly punching him before the staff member got Glover into a headlock.

But Mr Goldsack said the employee felt a sharp pain to the left side of his abdomen and he had been injured with something sharp and saw the male with a knife in is hand.

Mr Goldsack added that CCTV showed Glover escaping in a car driven by getaway driver Gavin Pearson, aged 39, of Buchanan Road, Sheffield.

Glover, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and to three counts of possessing an article with a blade or point.

Pearson, who also has previous convictions, admitted being part of the raid at Keresforth Hall Road and he pleaded guilty to robbery on the basis he had been a getaway driver.

Chris Aspinal, defending, said Glover’s offending was linked to his drug problems and he is devastated by the effect of his actions upon the shop staff.

Mr Aspinal added the first robbery was an attempt to shoplift that turned into robbery.

Glover also told the court he would like the chance to apologise to his victims by a process of restorative justice.

Dermot Hughes, defending, said it was not suggested Pearson knew a weapon was to be used in the Barnsley offence and this defendant has expressed genuine remorse.

Judge Slater sentenced Glover to nine years of custody and Pearson was sentenced to three years of custody.

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