A knifepoint robber who held up a Swindon Tesco store before urinating on himself and smearing blood on a custody cell wall has been jailed for seven years.

Bradley Stacey entered the Abbey Meads Tesco Express on December 8, 2023 and threatened an employee with a blade while demanding money from the till.

The 21-year-old, of Stapleford Way, Penhill, was swiftly located nearby and arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a bladed article.

He then spat in the back of the police van, before urinating on self-harm clothing he had been provided, damaging bedding in his cell in custody and smearing blood on the wall.

He also made making verbal threats towards officers.

Stacey was handed a lengthy jail sentence at Swindon Crown Court on April 9 after pleading guilty to robbery, possession of a bladed article, two counts of criminal damage and s4A public order at a hearing in January.

DC Sally Booth of Swindon CID said: “There can be no justification for Stacey’s actions, which understandably left the staff members present at Tesco feeling incredibly upset and shaken by what happened.

“Stacey also subjected our officers to a horrible barrage of abuse and threats after he was arrested for the robbery, as well as requiring officers to clean up after him after his actions in the police van and cell.

“Nobody, whether it’s an officer or a member of the public, should have to deal with these kinds of things while going about their work.

“I’m pleased that Stacey’s actions have resulted in a lengthy jail sentence for him.”