Wirral's independent local news website
A Liverpool man has been sent6enced to more than eight years in prison after threatening a woman with a bladed weapon and two shop workers with a fake handgun in Liverpool earlier this year.
Matthew David Sanderson, 38 years, of Walton, was jailed for eight years at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday 15 September after admitting robbery, assault with intent to commit robbery, threat with a bladed weapon and possession of an imitation firearm in two separate incidences on the same day.
On Thursday 30 June at around 7am, a woman was putting air in her car tyres at a garage on Priory Road, Anfield when she was approached by a man claiming to work at the garage and offered to help her.
When she declined he snatched her car keys from her hands, then threatened her with a pair of scissors. A struggle took place before the suspect made off towards Anfield cemetery. The victim received minor cuts to her hand when she tried to take the scissors from him.
Later that day at around 5.20pm, a man entered a food shop on Breck Road and demanded the shop workers to show their visas to him.
He became aggressive and pushed the two shop workers when they asked to see his identification and asked him to leave. He then produced a fake handgun and threatened the two women before stealing £120 from the cash till and making off.
Speaking about the sentencing, Detective Inspector Chris Saidi said, “This is a great result as Sanderson has been removed from our streets so he cannot cause harm or distress to anyone else.
“This was a frightening experience for the three victims in both of the robberies, and thankfully nobody was seriously harmed.
“We welcome this custodial sentence where he admitted his crimes and the evidence was strong enough to put him behind bars.”
You can also report any concerns to police on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or via Twitter @MerPolCC.
You can also pass information via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org
Image: Matthew David Sanderson/Merseyside Police
Why not follow birkenhead.news on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? You can also send story ideas to news@birkenhead.news