Armed robbers made off with charity boxes and cash after threatening Sheffield shopkeeper with screwdrivers

Scott Bell, 26, of HMP Doncaster and Steven Gillis, 42, of No Fixed Abode were both charged with armed robbery following an incident at the Premier Store in Burncross Road in Sheffield last year.

Shortly before 4pm on September 10 2019, two men now identified as Bell and Gillis entered the store and threatened the owner with screwdrivers.

The duo made off with cash from the till, two charity boxes, over a 100 packets of cigarettes and the victim’s wallet.

The men fled the scene in a white transit van when they were disturbed by a delivery driver.

Detectives investigating the robbery where able identify the clothes worn by the offenders from CCTV and also the registration of the van used in the robbery.

The van, which failed to stop for officers on two further occasions and abandoned in the Skegness area on September 11 .

During a search of the vehicle, cash stolen from the robbery enabled officers to link them to the robbery.

Both men were brought into custody and made no comment throughout their interviews.

Yesterday (September 1) both men appeared before Sheffield Crown Court and pleaded guilty to offences.

Bell pleaded guilty to robbery, burglary and handling stolen goods. He has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison.

Gillis pleaded guilty to robbery and handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.

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