Thief jailed after holding knife to shop manager’s throat
It happened in February 2025
A man has been jailed for more than two years, after he held a stolen knife to the throat of a shop manager in Peterborough.
Adam Swales, 35, confronted the woman as he tried to flee with stolen alcohol, electricals, and chocolate from B&M, in Boongate, on 9 February last year.
He held the small knife to the woman’s throat, causing a small cut, before making off with the goods.
Detectives arrested Swales nine days later when CCTV operators spotted him in Peterborough city centre.
Swales, of St Georges Avenue, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to theft from shop and assault by beating, but denied threatening a person with a blade in a public place. However, he was found guilty of the offence following a trial at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on 3 April last year, which he failed to attend.
At Great Grimsby Crown Court on Monday (29 June), Swales was jailed for 28 months and handed a five-year restraining order which bans him from entering B&M in Boongate.
Detective Constable George Corney, who investigated, said: “This was a truly harrowing experience for the victim, and I would like to applaud her bravery for reporting it and her continued support throughout the investigation.
“No one should face violence for simply doing their job, and I am glad that Swales’ sentence reflects this.”