Man jailed over attempted knifepoint robbery

A man has been jailed following an attempted knifepoint robbery in Keele earlier this year.

 

Stephen Hammersley, 55, of no-fixed-address, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Thursday (27 October) to six years behind bars having been found guilty, following trial, of attempted robbery, two counts of threatening a person with a blade in a public place and affray. Hammersley was also convicted of assault by beating of an emergency worker after changing his plea during the trial.

The court heard how Hammersley threated a man and a woman at knifepoint at around 11pm at Keele University, Three Mile Lane, on Saturday (4 June).

Thankfully, both victims were able to leave the scene unhurt.

A short time later, Hammersley threatened at knifepoint and demanded she hand over her purse.

The second woman pushed Hammersley to the ground and made her escape to a place of safety.

She was left shaken but unhurt.

The court then heard how, when we tried to arrest Hammersley after the attempted robberies, he bit an officer on the hand.

The officer was able to continue with his duties and did not require medical treatment.

Along with his jail term, Hammersley was order to pay a £190 surcharge and was handed a 10-year restraining order with conditions, prohibiting him from entering the Keele University Campus.

PC Richard Simpson, of the Stoke South Local Policing Team, said: “Hammersley put lives at risk and thankfully no one was injured.

“Members of the public in the area at the time were visibly distressed over what happened.

“We are happy with the sentencing and hope this serves as a reminder that this type of violent criminality will not be tolerated in our communities.”