Repeat Offender Jailed for Second Knifepoint Robbery

A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to four years in prison after committing a knifepoint robbery at the same shop where he had previously offended – remarkably against the same staff member.

Michael Roberts, of Glaslyn in Acrefair, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday via video link from prison after previously admitting robbery, possession of a knife and failing to comply with notification requirements.

The court heard that on February 8 this year, Roberts contacted North Wales Police to inform them he believed he was in breach of his sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) after setting up Facebook and TikTok accounts under false names.

His SHPO was imposed in 2021 for attempted sexual communication with a child and attempted child grooming offences, in which he had contacted someone he believed to be a young female but was actually a member of an online vigilant group.

Two days after being released, Roberts entered the Deniz Continental Store in Ruabon Road, Wrexham, where store assistant Beata Wisniewska was working. He approached the counter, produced a 10cm knife with a blunt tip from his jacket and demanded: “Give me the money.”

Ms Wisniewska, who was reportedly very scared, handed over approximately £250 in cash. Roberts was apprehended later that day with around £180 still in his possession. The knife was also recovered.

Prosecutor David Mainstone highlighted the “striking” feature that in 2021, Roberts was convicted of another robbery and possession of a blade at the exact same store – against the same victim.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told the defendant: “In 2021, you were sentenced to 32 months imprisonment in respect of a knifepoint robbery at a general store on Ruabon Road in Wrexham. Having served that sentence and been released back into the community, you’re now back before this court some three-and-a-half years later having committed what is seemingly an identical knifepoint robbery at the same premises and against the same victim. Undoubtedly, she would have been very frightened. This is far too serious for anything other than a custodial sentence.”

In addition to the four-year prison sentence, Roberts received a ten-year restraining order prohibiting him from entering the shop or contacting staff.