A knife-wielding robber who threatened to stab an elderly woman during a shop robbery in Gravesend has been jailed.
While wearing a balaclava, Gavin Jarvis threatened to hurt the customer while demanding cash from a till at a newsagents in Livingstone Road.
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Having entered the shop at 8.40pm on Friday 13 May 2022, he demanded the cashier hand over the money. He went onto threaten to hurt the woman as well as assault an employee of the shop.
Jarvis, 29, of Palmer Avenue, Gravesend, then grabbed a quantity of cash from the till before running from the shop.
As part of the investigation officers recovered CCTV showing Jarvis leaving the shop and walking towards Nansen Road. He is seen discarding the knife into bushes at 8.44pm.
The knife was later recovered by officers along with a distinctive blue jacket worn by Jarvis during the robbery.
Further CCTV also showed Jarvis walking out of an alleyway wearing a grey and black hooded jacket. This item of clothing was later found discarded nearby by officers.
Jarvis is then seen walking along Dunkirk Close at 8.45pm in a white t-shirt with the same black tracksuit bottoms worn during the incident. In the footage he appears to be counting cash.
Following enquiries, including the use of forensic work, Jarvis was arrested on Monday 30 May 2022. He was later charged with robbery and possession of a knife in a public place.
Jarvis admitted the charges and was jailed for three years and four months when he appeared at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday 27 June.
Investigating officer PC Emma Laimbeer said: ‘This was a frightening incident for those involved and Jarvis went to great lengths to try to conceal his involvement by discarding several items of clothing afterwards.
‘Not only did he threaten a shop worker before stealing money, but he threatened to hurt an innocent elderly customer who was going about her daily business. Our robust enquiries led to Jarvis being successfully charged and ultimately being jailed for his offences.’