Repeat Robber Stabbed Have-A-Go-Hero During Supermarket Raid

A robber repeatedly raided the same west London supermarket, threatening staff and customers with a knife or screwdriver.

Barry Whittle, 20, struck five times in just two weeks and ended up stabbing a have-a-go-hero shopper, who tried to detain him.

Whittle, of Peplow Close, Hillingdon has been locked-up for five-and-a-half years.

He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court for multiple offences, including four robberies and one attempted robbery of the supermarket in Chantry Close, West Drayton between October 3 and 17, last year.

He was also convicted of five counts of possession of a bladed article at the store; inflicting grievous bodily harm on the hero customer and actual bodily harm on the man's daughter.

Whittle was also guilty of possessing a bladed article at another supermarket in High Street, West Drayton and theft and fraud in nearby Frays Avenue.

Whittle was arrested at an address in West Drayton on October 17, last year, following a violent incident at the supermarket.

On that day he entered the shop in possession of knife and proceeded to steal nine bottles of vodka. 

When shop security staff challenged him, he threatened them with the knife before attempting to leave. 

Whittle was grabbed by a man who was in the shop, who attempted to detain him. 

During the ensuing struggle, Whittle stabbed the man in the shoulder and also assaulted the man’s teenage daughter, who came to assist, before fleeing.

It was established Whittle had entered the same supermarket on four other occasions to steal items. 

On each occasion he armed himself with a knife or screwdriver and brazenly brandished it at anyone who attempted to challenge him.

Whittle was also convicted of breaking into a car that was parked in Frays Avenue and using a card he had stolen to buy items from a newsagent.

Detective Sergeant Reda Imane from West Area CID said: “A dangerous man will now spend a significant amount of time behind bars. 

“Whittle armed himself with a knife and had no qualms in threatening members of staff, or using it against a member of the public who attempted to stop him.

“He plagued staff at the supermarket he targeted, no doubt putting them in genuine fear with his actions. 

“I hope his prison sentence offers them, and those who stood up to him, some reassurance.”