Worthing knifepoint robbers jailed

The Sussex Sweet Shop, in Broadwater Street East, was robbed by Hakeem Baker and Shane Brown, both 20 and of no fixed address, on May 6, at around 5.30pm.

During their sentencing at Chichester Crown Court it was heard they forced the shop owner, Brian Lee Barnes, upstairs to where the safe was kept.

They gagged him with gaffer tape, which they also used on his ankles and knees, and then stole between 2,100 and 4,100 from the shop's safe, as well as a mobile phone and wallet.

A "terrified" Mr Barnes was left tied up in the shower room as the pair escaped in a car which had been parked outside.

Car number

But Mr Barnes was able to escape his restraints and make a note of the licence plate number of the getaway car, which he passed on to police.

Brown and Baker were found by police 20 minutes later in a car which was being driven to Lancing by a woman.

The woman was arrested at the scene, but police later confirmed she had not been involved in the robbery and did not appear to be aware of what was happening.

In court, it was said Brown and Baker had been struggling with cocaine addictions and spiralling debts which they owed their drug dealer.

Drug dealer

It was also heard the drug dealer planned the robbery at the shop, where Baker was the one armed with a knife.

Neil Baki, defending Baker, said: "He was caught in the vice-like grip of a cocaine addiction.

But Judge William Wood reminded the court of the severity of the crime, which had "terrified" shop-owner, Mr Barnes.

He also praised Mr Barnes' bravery and quick thinking, which led to the capture of Brown and Baker and their convictions.

Both Brown and Baker were sentenced to four years in prison for robbery, and were given an extended licence of seven years.

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