Store robber who threatened staff with a needle jailed

A man who robbed a series of shops, including threatening staff with a needle, has been jailed for more than two and a half years.

Over the course of four days in July this year, 28-year-old Rufus Cuthbertson targeted stores across Northampton, often going behind the tills and intimidating staff, in order to steal items including alcohol.

An investigation by Northamptonshire Police’s CID West identified him as the offender, resulting in guilty pleas to five counts of robbery.

Cuthbertson, of no fixed address, appeared before Northampton Crown Court for sentence on October 30, where he received a total of 31 months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay a £228 victim surcharge.

Speaking afterwards, investigating officer Detective Constable Amy Johnson of CID West, said: “Rufus Cuthbertson’s decision to use the threat of a dirty needle to commit some of these robberies caused an enormous amount of fear and distress to the store staff involved.

“Shop staff have a right to be safe at work and we will always do all we can to ensure retail offenders are brought to justice.

“Securing these guilty pleas was a huge team effort and I’d like to thank all those involved across the Force, as well as all the victims who bravely recounted their experiences, for supporting our investigation to this successful conclusion.”