Terrifying moment robber lunges at Tesco staff with knife during crime spree

09 July 2023 , 21:45

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Terrifying moment robber lunges at Tesco staff with knife during crime spree

Alarming footage shows a robber lunging at Tesco staff with a knife after one supermarket worker bravely wrestled stolen goods from him.

Josh James, 33, waved a blade at staff before he violently smashed the door down at the supermarket in Bristol.

Footage played in a court shows James come within inches of slashing the unarmed shop worker and then damaging the glass, amid a five-month spree of burglaries and robberies.

But the shameless thug was jailed for eight years last week after pleading guilty to 18 offences, including three counts of robbery, nine counts of burglary, one of aggravated burglary and one of being in possession of a bladed article in a public place.

This image is from a shop in Bristol as James is armed with a knife (Avon and Somerset Constabulary / SWNS)

Bristol Crown Court heard the first of these offences was the incident at the Tesco in the city centre, caught on CCTV, which fortunately did not leave any employees injured.

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James went on to commit more crimes, including the robbery of the same man on three separate occasions where he threatened him with a knife.

Josh James has been jailed and, though Bobbie Reynolds admitted her guilt, she was given a suspended sentence

The brazen thief then carried out a string of burglaries on a student block and an office block, stealing high-value laptops and other goods - on one occasion accompanied by Bobbie Reynolds, who was also present at the Tesco episode.

Reynolds, 30, who was given a two-year sentence suspended for two years, pleaded guilty to affray, being in possession of a bladed article, battery and four counts of burglary.

The woman, of Filwood Park, Bristol, was ordered to carry out a 40-day rehabilitation requirement and to attend nine months of mental health treatment.

Following the sentencing, Investigating officer, PC Hannah Baynham, said: "Through witnesses and good quality CCTV, we were able to link James and Reynolds' series of crimes and hold them to account for the impact they have had on the victims.

"Burglary and robbery are extremely serious crimes and we recognise the profound impact offences can have on victims, leaving them feeling unsafe in their homes and workplaces.

"James is dangerous and it is clear from the extent of his offending, that he has no awareness of the impact his actions have had on the lives of others.

"I hope his sentence will be welcomed by his victims and I hope Reynolds makes the most of her rehabilitation activities."

Bradley Jolly