Teenager robbed two stores at knifepoint

A teenager who robbed two Cambridgeshire shops at knifepoint has been sentenced.

Wearing black, a balaclava and gloves, a 15-year-old boy, who can’t be named for legal reasons, walked into Hartford Stores on Main Street in Hartford at 6.25am on 18 September 2024.

He pulled out a large knife and demanded money from the member of staff behind the counter.

The boy was seen on CCTV climbing over the counter where he opened the till, while the staff member locked himself into a back room.

He left a few moments later with between £200 and £300 in cash.

He called a taxi to take him to Somersham where, at 9.10am, he walked into the Post Office on the High Street and brandishing the knife again, demanded money from the two members of staff working.

The boy was captured on CCTV leaning over the counter thrashing the knife at the pair.

He fell backwards after one worker threw a display cabinet at him and then ran out of the store empty handed.

Police were called and following a search of the village, with the assistance of the police drone, the boy was found hiding in a bush at the allotments.

At Peterborough Crown Court on Friday 24 January 2025, the teenager was sentenced to 30 months in a young offenders institute after previously pleading guilty to robbery, attempted robbery, two counts of possession of a knife and escaping lawful custody.