Man jailed for attempted armed robbery at Dunstable newsagent
Masked offender threatened staff with imitation firearm while on court curfew
A man who attempted an armed robbery at a newsagent in Dunstable has been jailed for more than four years.
Darren Campbell, 37, entered the Luton Road store at around 5.30pm on 24 June, wearing a mask and threatening a member of staff with what appeared to be a pistol-style firearm and ammunition clip. He demanded money and threatened to shoot the worker before fleeing the scene.
Police later identified the getaway vehicle as a silver Vauxhall Mokka registered to Campbell. At the time, he was subject to a tagged curfew while on bail for a series of burglaries. Tag data placed him away from home during the time of the offence.
Despite being caught on CCTV, Campbell denied involvement, but officers were able to build a case and charge him following a detailed investigation.
At Luton Crown Court on 5 December, Campbell, of Aspen Crescent, Houghton Regis, was sentenced to three years and three months for attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. He was also jailed for a further 11 months for burglary and fraud offences, making a total sentence of more than four years.
Detective Constable Freya Williams said the victim had been left terrified and praised the investigative work that brought Campbell to justice, adding that the sentence sends a clear message that violent crime will not be tolerated.