Calderdale Tesco robber threatened to “jab” staff member with needle
A drug addict robber who targeted the same Calderdale supermarket twice in the space of three days has been jailed for 28 months.
Matthew Greaves, 35 of no fixed abode, was told that a restraining order was also being imposed to ban him from going to Tesco in Sowerby Bridge again for the next five years.
Prosecutor Victoria Barker told Bradford Crown Court today that on both occasions in May this year Greaves went into the supermarket early in the morning.
On the first occasion, he put two jars of coffee in his backpack and when he was confronted by a male member of staff he became verbally abusive.
Greaves denied taking the coffee but was the seen to pick up two large rib-eye steaks and head towards the exit.
When he was challenged again, Greaves turned round and told the staff member: “Touch me and I’ll jab you with this needle I’ve got with me.”
Miss Barker said the complainant backed off and Greaves left with goods worth about £60.
Two days later Greaves went back into the supermarket and was recognised from the earlier incident.
While he was rummaging in his bag, the staff member saw a capped yellow needle and backed away again.
Greaves again grabbed two steaks and left the store, but moments later he returned saying: “I’ve got something for you.”
Miss Barker said the staff member thought he was referring to the needle so he pressed the emergency button locking the doors.
On that occasion, Greaves stole £58 worth of meat, but it was recovered later when he was arrested nearby.
The court heard that Greaves had 58 previous convictions for almost 100 offences and had committed the two robberies just weeks after being given a community order.
Greaves admitted the two robbery charges and his barrister Laura McBride submitted that drugs had plagued his life.
“He’s now 35 and he does not want to continue with this cycle in his life of constantly being in and out of custody,” she said.
She said Greaves had offered to take part restorative justice and wanted to say sorry for his behaviour.
Recorder Shufqat Khan said the offences were committed at a time when Greaves was using heroin and crack cocaine, but he accepted that the defendant had been doing well since being remanded in custody.