Terrified customers begged Sheffield man to stop as he attacked shop owner with beer crate

Police have fired a warning at crooks in Sheffield that they will be tracked down and prosecuted after a Sheffield man was jailed for five years for attacking a shop owner.
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Ashley Stocks, aged 31, of Greenwood Avenue, near Handsworth Hill, Sheffield, was jailed this week over an incident at the Premier Store on Nodder Road, Woodthorpe, in November last year.

He had attempted to return some beer bottles which had been emptied and filled with another substance, in exchange for cash.

Ashley Stocks has been jailed for five yearsAshley Stocks has been jailed for five years
Ashley Stocks has been jailed for five years
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When the shop owner refused, Stocks threw a full crate of beer at him before assaulting him outside.

Stocks then re-entered the shop and stolen bottles of vodka and £300 from the till.

DC Ryan Griffiths, who investigated, said: “This robbery saw an innocent member of the public attacked through absolutely no fault of his own. The man was very lucky to escape serious injury after he was subjected to a prolonged assault by Stocks, during which, on CCTV, members of the public begged him to stop.

“While the victim was still laid on the pavement outside, Stocks then went on to take what he wanted.

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“It’s thanks to support from witnesses and excellent CCTV that we were able to identify him quickly.

“We work hard to tackle burglary and robbery offences here in South Yorkshire and I hope Stocks’ sentence sends out a strong message that offenders who commit such crimes will be identified and brought to justice.”

Stocks, pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for five years and four months.