Armed gang jailed for shop attack

The High Court in Edinburgh heard of the violent raid

An armed gang who attacked a shop worker with a knife during a raid have been jailed for a total of more than 19 years.

Charles Allan, 18, William Edwards, 31, and Jason Lovell, 22, were armed with an axe and a knife when they staged the robbery at a branch of Threshers in Great Junction Street, Edinburgh.

Judge Roderick Macdonald QC told the trio their sentences should be viewed as a deterrent to other criminals.

"The shop assistants were subjected to a terrifying ordeal at your hands, while you were disguised," said the judge.

There can be no doubt this was a violent and lawless incident committed in a shop taken to be an easy target Judge Roderick Macdonald

"Not only were a knife and axe brandished and they were threatened with violence, but one was seized and repeatedly struck on the face and body with a knife.

"There can be no doubt this was a violent and lawless incident committed in a shop taken to be an easy target.

"When criminals such as you are brought to justice, you must know that sentences will be passed not only to punish you, but to deter others who may be minded to commit such crimes."

Violent robbery

Mr Macdonald told them at the High Court in Edinburgh that the sentences would reflect the serious aggravation that violence was used to inflict injury on one of their victims during the course of the raid.

The judge jailed the youngest member of the gang Allan, of Great Junction Street, for six years for his part in the attack.

But he sentenced him to a further three months detention for committing the offence while on bail.

The judge told the teenager that it was only because of his age that he was restricting the sentence.

Drug problem

Edwards, of Burdiehouse Drive, and Lovell, of Muirhouse Place West, both Edinburgh, were jailed for seven and six-and-a-half years respectively for their roles in the robbery.

Lovell, who was addicted to heroin, had an extensive criminal record and could use up to £120 a day of the class A drug.

They were earlier convicted of taking part in the raid at the off-license branch on 13 January this year.

The robbers jumped over the counter and one of the assistants, Allan Briggs, was grabbed and struck with a knife.

A till and wine bottles were hit with the axe and demands were made to open the safe and tills before the gang fled with £430 and some beer and wine.