Breightmet man jailed after robbing convenience store

The armed man who had tights and a helmet over his face is now behind bars.

Simon Brooks, 32, of Toronto Street, Bolton, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court to four years in jail, after previously pleading guilty to the offence of robbery.

Brooks entered the shop with a motorcycle helmet to cover his face (Image: GMP)

The robbery took place on November 26 at 5.44am when Brooks entered a convenience store on Bury Road in the Breightmet.

He was wearing a motorcycle helmet and tights over his head in an attempt to conceal his identity.

During the incident, Brooks produced a knife and pointed it at the shopworker, demanding that they open the till.

When the worker initially refused, Brooks lunged toward them and waved the knife, before taking cash from the till and fleeing the scene.

Despite his attempts to hide his identity, Brooks was quickly identified by officers from the North Bolton Neighbourhood Team.

Brooks then brandished a knife to intimidate the shop owner (Image: GMP)

He was arrested within two hours of the offence.

A search of his property led to the recovery of the clothing worn during the robbery.

Brooks was also captured on CCTV discarding the tights he had worn on his head.

The knife used in the robbery was also recovered as part of the investigation.

He was later interviewed and charged with the robbery offences.

In addition to his prison sentence, Brooks was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

Sergeant Rebecca Strong, from Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton Neighbourhood Team, said:

“This will have undoubtedly been a terrifying experience for the worker who was the victim of this robbery, and I am glad that officers acted quickly and decisively to get Brooks arrested.

“His actions were utterly disgusting and I am glad that this incident didn’t result in more serious consequences.

“Knife crime has no place on the streets of Bolton – or Greater Manchester – and I am glad Brooks is now behind bars with time to think about his crime.”

Brooks then took money from the register (Image: GMP)

Greater Manchester Police said the force remains committed to reducing robbery.

Officers continue to gather intelligence and pursue all lines of enquiry to secure arrests and charges.

Police data shows that robbery is down 16.7 per cent compared to the previous year, equating to more than 600 fewer offences.

Knife crime in the region has also fallen by around 28 per cent.