A MAN who robbed a Winterbourne pharmacy of prescription drugs at knifepoint has been jailed.
Daniel Bennett left staff in fear and unable to sleep after threatening violence unless they handed over the medicines.
Outside his accomplice Natasha O’Driscoll waited in a getaway car, before driving off – with a child leaning from one of the windows.
Bristol Crown Court heard 41-year-old Bennett, of Wedmore Vale, Bedminster, went into Shaunak’s Pharmacy Flaxpits Lane on the afternoon of August 8 last year armed with a knife.
An Avon & Somerset police spokesperson said: “He forced staff to the rear of the store, where he threatened to harm them unless medication was handed over.
“Bennett then fled the scene, leaving in a car being driven by O’Driscoll who had a child with her leaning out the passenger window.”
Police said officers responded quickly and stopped O’Driscoll with a “large amount of prescription drugs” in her car.
By that point Bennett had left the car, but he was soon found in the car park of a nearby pub, with a knife and more prescription drugs.
Staff suffer ‘flashbacks’ and sleepless nights
Staff were left shaken by what happened.
One said: “I was on my lunch break when I heard the commotion.
“I grabbed my bag and phone and walked behind the guy who was holding my colleagues at knifepoint. I made it out and called the police.
“I stayed in work until the following Thursday but I had to take time off work due to lack of sleep, because I was getting flashbacks to what happened.
“This is not something any of us will be able to get over.
“We feel unsafe and I will always be looking over my shoulder.”
Bennett was jailed for six years and nine months on March 7 after he pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article.
He must serve an extended three-year licence period after his prison sentence ends.
O’Driscoll, 34, of Northwood Park, Old Gloucester Road, Winterbourne, was given a one-year community order and ordered to pay a fine after pleading guilty to assisting an offender and neglecting a child aged under 16.
Child’s life put in danger
Investigating officer DC Craig Bennett said: “Bennett’s actions that day were reckless and dangerous.
“He appeared to give no thought for how his behaviour would harm those around him; he was focused on stealing those prescription drugs for his own benefit.
“The victims have been left feeling vulnerable and fearful following the incident, and I have to commend them for the strength they have shown in supporting our investigation.
“O’Driscoll acted as the getaway driver for Bennett’s scheme. She not only endangered her own life, but also that of a child.”