Two robbers who stole cash from a shop in Folkestone after threatening workers with knives have been jailed.
Stuart Girt and Melissa Goldstone both pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a knife at Canterbury Crown Court following an investigation by Kent Police’s Chief Constable’s Crime Squad.
On Thursday 10 June 2021, Girt, 42, was jailed for five years and Goldstone, 37, received a four-year, nine-month sentence.
Stuart Girt
Melissa Goldstone
The pair entered the shop in Cheriton High Street at 6.30am on Friday 4 September 2020 both wearing masks.
Girt, who was holding a seven-inch bread knife, went behind the counter and ordered a worker to open the till.
Goldstone, who was holding a shorter vegetable knife, pointed the weapon at another worker.
The two robbers stole more than £300 in cash and took packets of cigarettes before leaving the store.
One of the workers then pressed the panic alarm and Kent Police arrived at the scene.
CCTV images from the area were obtained and local police officers identified Girt, from Folkestone, and Goldstone, of no fixed address. They were both arrested on Tuesday 15 September 2020.
Detective Sergeant Jay Robinson, of the Chief Constable’s Crime Squad, said: ‘This robbery would have been terrifying for the shop workers, who were merely doing their jobs providing a service to the local community.
‘I am pleased the swift investigation carried out by our officers led to the arrest of these two offenders, who have now been jailed and removed from the streets of Folkestone.’