Man jailed after needle stab attack on shop worker

Police described Robert Leverton, 30, as a "prolific offender"

A robber who stabbed a shop assistant with a needle as she attempted to stop him stealing has been jailed.

Robert Leverton, 30, attacked the woman as he left the shop on Sackville Street, Barnsley, with Leverton fleeing with stolen items worth £42.

He was sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to robbery at Sheffield Crown Court, with the 24-year-old woman not seriously injured in the attack.

Det Con Charlie Foy said: "I hope Leverton will consider whether it was worth stealing £42 worth of items now that he will spend more than half a decade behind bars."

When officers showed Leverton CCTV footage of him at the shop, he denied it was him but could not explain how the victim knew his name and could describe his appearance.

He said it was a coincidence he was wearing very similar clothing when he was arrested, police said, but Leverton later admitted the offence during court proceedings.

Det Con Foy described him as a "prolific offender", adding: "This case goes to show that shoplifting is far from a victimless crime, as innocent people are often hurt or threatened as offenders attempt to make off with stolen goods."

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