A 47-YEAR-OLD man who threatened TK Maxx staff with a knife after stealing perfume from the store has been jailed.
Robert Gillespie of Spring Close stole a bottle of perfume from TK Maxx on Great Western Way but was challenged by a member of staff before he could leave the car park.
Gillespie turned on the shop worker, produced a knife, tried to stab him, failed, and ran off with the stolen bottle.
The uninjured staff member called the police and, after a number of enquiries, Gillespie was arrested and charged.
When he first appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on September 24, Gillespie pleaded guilty to possession of a knife, common assault, assault by beating and theft from a shop.
On Friday, he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, then fined £170.
Following the sentencing, PC Paul Bezzant said: "This is a good result and a substantial sentence.
"It sends the message that knife crime on whatever level is not to be tolerated and is punishable.
"If you carry a knife to commit crime you will be caught and go to jail."
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