A knife-wielding robber raided the same shop twice within the space of a week while the same terrified worker was on duty alone.
Peter Bennett targeted the Go Local Extra store in Bootle on two occasions in four days, stealing hundreds of pounds in cash from the till. The employee who was on shift during both incidents was left "fearing for his life" as a result and had to quit his role.
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Tuesday, that Shiva Barkham was working behind the counter of the Aintree Road convenience store shortly before 11pm on May 11 this year when he heard the front door open. A masked man holding a knife with a "large, serrated blade" then appeared next to him at the till.
READ MORE: Stalker threatened to 'chop up' ex-girlfriend's son and cut her cat's head off
Mr Barkham "froze with fear, felt really scared and feared for his life", prosecutor Paul Blasbery said. The robber, later identified as Bennett via CCTV footage which was played to the court, held the weapon to his face and shouted "give me the money, give me the money".
The 44-year-old then swiped £400 and told the victim "get down on your knees now". As he fled, he added: "Stay there - if you come here I'll put the knife in you, I know where you live."
Then, on May 15, Bennett - of Selina Road in Walton - struck again. He entered the premises at around 8.15pm with another male, who remained near the entrance.
The "very aggressive" defendant again approached the counter and shouted at Mr Barkham to open the till. Bennett then stole a "large bundle of notes" totalling around £350 and left.
He was subsequently arrested on May 20. The court heard of his staggering record of 51 previous convictions for 112 offences, dating back to 1994 and including a count of robbery in 2014 for which he received 27 months behind bars.
A statement read out on Mr Barkham's behalf described how he had been left "petrified" after Bennett threatened to stab him. He added: "I thought I was going to die and I just let him do what he wanted.
"I was frozen with fear. I told my boss I can't work there anymore as I'm too scared - I now work in another shop. I'm still scared in the shop, especially when left alone. I'm continually looking over my shoulder.
"Before these incidents, I was really happy in my work. Now I'm really scared and I don't like going to work, but I have to to support myself and my partner. I want justice for what this man has done to me. He has ruined my working life and it will take a long time to get over this."
James Lewis, defending, told the court his client had stolen the money in order to pay off a drug debt. He added: "There is a long-standing history of drug misuse.
"At this particular time, he had accrued quite a considerable debt with those from whom he bought drugs and needed to pay back. He panicked and went to the shop to take the money in a way he shouldn't have, and he expresses remorse for it.
"He was in desperate circumstances at the time. That doesn't excuse what he's done."
Bennett, who appeared via video link to HMP Altcourse, admitted two counts of robbery during a previous hearing. He was jailed for seven-and-a-half years.
Sentencing, Judge Louise Brandon said: "Mr Barkham was left understandably petrified because of what happened to him on two separate occasions. He was at his place of work and he should have been safe to be there.
"He's now too scared to work in that shop. He says his working life has been ruined.
"You have an appalling antecedent record, including for an offence of robbery. This was targeting high value goods.
"You were looking for and took cash on both occasions. There must have been significant planning.
"You explained you had a debt you needed to satisfy and you took the knife with you, concealed in your jacket. The second robbery was committed just four days later.
"You took a leading role. You were the one who went into the shop and confronted Mr Barkham for the second time in a week."
Bennett will serve two thirds of this prison term before being released on licence. He was also told to pay a victim surcharge.
READ NEXT: Man 'giggled' after plunging steak knife into neighbour's stomach
Mums blame cost of living crisis for stealing £2,250 worth of toiletries from Boots
Pervert groped child as she chose packet of crisps in shop
Robber smashed LFC fan's jaw in violent attack outside hotel
Ex global drugs kingpin Curtis Warren to face major test on release
