CCTV footage captured at a supermarket in Bristol has revealed the moment staff members bravely attempted to barricade the doors as two burglars tried to smash their way in. The couple, Josh James, of no fixed address, and Bobbie Reynolds, of Leinster Avenue, Bristol, have been sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple offences.
The spate of burglaries and robberies were committed between October 2022 and March this year and included James, 33, brutally smashing his way into the supermarket after a member of staff challenged him for stealing. The staff member, despite seeing that Reynolds had a knife, managed to get the stolen item back without injury.
James responded violently to the challenge by taking the knife from Reynolds and lunging at the store worker. He then kicked the door multiple times, smashing the pane at one point, before leaving the scene.
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This was followed by several other incidents in January, February and March, including three robberies on the same male victim. Avon and Somerset Police say James threatened him with a knife on two occasions and assaulted him on the third. The two men were known to each other.
James then went on to commit a string of burglaries at a student accommodation block, one time with Reynolds, 30, and at a block of business offices in Cannon Street, Bristol, where he made off with several high-value laptops.
The court heard how on March 11, James and Reynolds stole a bike and parcels from a block of flats in Lewins Mead. Five days later, James returned to the same block of flats and raised the post room twice in 20 minutes, taking several parcels in bags and suitcases. He put a coat on the second occasion in a bid to hide his identity.
Reynolds was linked to three of the incidents – the shoplifting incident in October last year, the burglary from a student block in February and a burglary at Lewins Mead in March.
James was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to 18 offences, including three counts of robbery, nine counts of burglary, one of aggravated burglary and one of being in possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Reynolds, who was given a two-year sentence suspended for two years, pleaded guilty to affray, being in possession of a bladed article, battery and four counts of burglary. Along with her suspended sentence, Reynolds was ordered to carry out a 40-day rehabilitation requirement and to attend nine months of mental health treatment.
Investigating officer, PC Hannah Baynham, said: “Through witnesses and good quality CCTV, we were able to link James and Reynolds’ series of crimes and hold them to account for the impact they have had on the victims.
“Burglary and robbery are extremely seriously crimes and we recognise the profound impact offences can have on victims, leaving them feeling unsafe in their homes and workplaces.
“James is dangerous and it is clear from the extent of his offending, that he has no awareness of the impact his actions have had on the lives of others.
“I hope his sentence will be welcomed by his victims and I hope Reynolds makes the most of her rehabilitation activities.”
