Below are some of the more serious cases dealt with at Sheffield Crown Court this year involving defendants who used a range of weapons including knives, a shotgun, imitation firearms, a hammer and even a bamboo cane.
In many instances, the victims were so scared they feared they were going to be seriously hurt or even killed and some have been left traumatised.
Offenders have used weapons in armed robberies or to simply threaten individuals and in one case a defendant shot a man in the leg after they had fallen out.
One knife-wielding defendant threatened a man who was sitting outside a Co-op store as shocked people looked on.
However, judges have punished these offenders appropriately with custodial sentences of varying lengths.
5. Wayne Stead
Sheffield Crown Court heard in July how Wayne Stead, aged 34 when sentenced, of St Edwin’s Drive, Dunscroft, Hatfield, Doncaster, armed himself with a bamboo cane during one raid and with a hammer during a second raid at a Tesco Express store in Hatfield over two days. Stead, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery. Judge Rachael Harrison sentenced Stead to 40-months of custody. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
6. Andrew Harrison
Pictured is Andrew Harrison, aged 27 when sentenced, of Cambridge Street, Mexborough, Doncaster, who has been jailed for five-years and four-months after pleading guilty to a robbery, an attempted robbery, and an attempted theft and to possessing a knife in public. Sheffield Crown Court heard in April how Harrison struck at the Heritage Booze Barn and at a nearby Premier Stores shop at Mexborough while armed with a knife between in March. The defendant also tried to take a purse from a customer before he fled from the Heritage Booze Barn, according to the court. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
7. Nathan Harrod
Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 14 how Nathan Harrod, aged 25, of Wilford Road, Barnsley, shot a man in the leg with a shotgun after they had fallen out. Harrod pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life after the incident on December 20, 2019. Harrod also pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after a separate incident when he and two others attacked a different man on Belmont Avenue, Barnsley, in September, 2018. Harrod was sentenced to ten years of custody. Photo: South Yorkshire Police
8. Gavin Pearson
Sheffield Crown Court heard on September 3 how knife-wielding Gavin Pearson, aged 42, of Glyn Avenue, Doncaster, was seen behaving aggressively towards a man who was sitting on the ground near the entrance to the Co-op, in Cantley, Doncaster. Pearson pleaded guilty to affray and to possessing a bladed article in public after the incident on October 15. Recorder Darren Preston sentenced Pearson to 13 months of custody. Photo: South Yorkshire Police