Crewe armed robber jailed for four years

An armed robber who terrified staff at a store in Crewe has been jailed

Matthew Hurst, of no fixed address, Crewe, was sentenced to four years in prison at Chester Crown Court on February 11th.

The 35-year-old had pleaded guilty to one count of robbery. 

The robbery occurred at a Game store at around 9am on Wednesday 24 October.

Hurst was wearing a high-visibility vest and a balaclava and threatened staff with what they believed was a sawn-off shotgun.

He demanded that they opened the safe before fleeing the computer shop on Market Street with more than £2,200 and a games console.

Hurst was arrested just hours after the incident and during his interview in police custody he admitted being responsible for the robbery at Game.

He told officers that the firearm was actually two metal bars which he had ground down and taped together to make them look like a sawn-off shotgun.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Claire Jesson, from Crewe CID, said: “Hurst subjected the victims to a terrifying ordeal, threatening them with what they believed to be a firearm and leaving them fearing for their lives.

“I am delighted that Hurst has received a substantial custodial sentence and I hope that this brings some closure to the victims and provides reassurance to the local community.

“I also hope that the sentence serves as a deterrent to other people and stops them from committing similar crimes and I would like to thank the officers who have been involved in the investigation for all their hard work to secure this prosecution.”

In addition to his custodial sentence, Hurst was ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.