An armed robber has been jailed following the quick actions of a shopkeeper in Benfleet.

Justine Roberts, 43, of Abbotswood, Benfleet, received four years for robbery and 12 months for possession of a knife, to run concurrently, after admitting the offences at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, May 18.

At around 8.40pm on Saturday, April 4, Roberts entered Appans Store, in Kiln Road, selected alcohol and tobacco.

She then told the shopkeeper that she needed to get cash from her car and walked out with the items, however, the shopkeeper grew suspicious, followed her and grabbed the bag during a struggle. 
Roberts calmly came back into the shop and threatened him with a knife. 

The victim then grabbed a stall and managed to knock the knife out of Robert’s hands before she drove off with tobacco. 

She handed herself into police on Monday, April 16.

Investigating officer DC Johnda Hughes, of Basildon CID, said: “While it’s not clear whether Roberts went to the store intent in carrying out robbery, she clearly didn’t like being challenged and threatened him with a knife.

“She didn’t expect the shopkeeper to defend his business and bravely fought back. I want to praise him for his assistance during the investigation. 

“Roberts tried robbing a business of two packets of tobacco and four cans of beer and in return has received four years in prison.”