Robber sentenced to over four years in a young offender institution

A violent Doncaster robber has been sentenced to over four years in a young offender institution after threatening a shopkeeper and a woman in her home.

An investigation was launched into 19 year-old Blake Lester's offending after he committed two robberies in the space of 48 hours in August last year.

Lester, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and was jailed for a total of four years and two months during a sentencing hearing at Sheffield Crown Court.

Detective Constable Rachael Gilsenan said:

"This was a terrifying ordeal for both victims who were left understandably shaken by Lester's offending.

"To be confronted in your own home or while simply trying to do your job is frightening, invasive and something that no one should ever have to experience.

"The impact of robberies cannot be overstated and I want to commend both victims for showing courage in reporting the incidents to us promptly which helped us to piece together what had happened.

"Our detectives and CSI teams moved at pace to gather evidence, identify the offender and build a strong case which has now led to a custodial sentence.

"It's thanks to them and the victims that we've been able to secure this result that prevents further offending, bring safety to the Armthorpe community and I hope brings a measure of closure to the two victims in this case."