Latest news with #knifepoint
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Armed robbers steal cash at knife point from Wakefield shop
An armed robbery has led to a section of Wakefield city centre being closed to the from West Yorkshire Police were called to a shop on Teall Way at about 09:15 BST on Saturday after reports that two armed men had demanded cash at knifepoint.A force spokesperson said cash was stolen, but no injuries were scene remained cordoned off as police continued their inquiries, they added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- BBC News
Leeds knife robber who targeted women in Hyde Park jailed
A man has been given a second life sentence after he committed a string of knifepoint robberies targeting female victims in Leeds. James Smyth, 58, admitted aggravated burglary, attempted robbery, possessing an offensive weapon, escaping lawful custody and two counts of robbery at Leeds Crown Court on Monday. Smyth, who was first given a life sentence for wounding with intent and robbery offences in 2003, was given another life term with a minimum of nine years in jail by the court. It means he will remain on licence until he dies after his release from prison. West Yorkshire Police said Smyth was arrested on 16 May last year following a number of reported robberies against women in the Hyde Park area of Leeds. The victims had reported being threatened at defendant had been released from prison the previous month on temporary licence but had failed to return as per his conditions, the force police officers tried to obtain CCTV footage of the suspect, Smyth, of no fixed abode, was spotted and recognised by a PCSO on his way to work. A knife seized from him was forensically linked to an aggravated burglary in Woodhouse, where a male victim had been stabbed in the Con Justin Booth said: "Smyth subjected his victims to terrifying ordeals and it is right that he is back behind bars."Thanks to the quick thinking of a PCSO who recognised Smyth's face we were able to quickly arrest and apprehend him, taking a violent offender off the streets." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Knaresborough: Armed petrol station robber jailed for six years
A man who robbed two North Yorkshire petrol stations at knifepoint has been jailed for six years. Roy Holmes, 58, of Parkside Road, Bradford, waved a lock knife at staff at filling stations in Knaresborough and Harrogate in 2024 before stealing tobacco and cash. The first robbery was at Asda Express on Wetherby Road, Knaresborough, in June, followed by Esso Woodlands on Wetherby Road, Harrogate, a few weeks who was also linked to a robbery at a Co-op store in Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, admitted three counts of robbery and was jailed at York Crown Court. Police had appealed to the public for information after he was pictured on CCTV at the first robbery in Knaresborough, where he told staff to lie on the the robbery in Harrogate, Holmes put fuel in a car displaying false number plates before threatening staff with a knife and filling a bag with cigarettes. The car was stopped by North Yorkshire Police officers who had traced it to the outskirts of Bradford, with the stolen items found was later linked to the robbery in Cullingworth, near Keighley, in investigator David Carter said Holmes "showed no accountability and no remorse to his victims"."While crimes like this are thankfully rare in North Yorkshire, they are very frightening for victims so I'm glad justice has been served and Holmes is behind bars," he said. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
