Robber who brandished imitation handgun jailed

Luke Mayes, 20, of Bridle Drive, Clapham, has been ordered to serve three-and-a-half years in prison after admitting carrying out the robbery at Spar in the village’s High Street, on October 21, 2015.

He was sentenced to a further year imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm against a neighbour on September 7, 2015.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Guy Steel-Jessop said: “Robbery can cause immeasurable damage to the victims, in this case innocent shop workers who would have feared for their lives as Mayes threatened them with what they perceived to be a real, live weapon.

“Mayes additionally assaulted a man known to him with glass bottles – he is clearly a dangerous man who we are pleased to see behind bars.

“Bedfordshire Police is committed to the full and thorough investigation of violent crimes and is determined to bring offenders like Mayes to justice.”