Merseyside Police have today (Wednesday 28 November 2018) welcomed the sentencing of a 20 year old man from the Liverpool area following an armed robbery at the Flannels Store in Southport earlier this year.
Officers were called to the shop in Tulketh Street on the afternoon on Tuesday 29th May after it was reported that a man had stolen items of sportswear at gun point.
The man drove off in a black Ford Fiesta Zetec down Wesley Street. With the assistance of members of the public, who contacted police having witnessed the dangerous way in which the vehicle was driven, armed officers pursued the car which collided with the wall of a house in Lady Green Court, Victoria Road, Ince Blundell.
Tadiwa Ian Chihota, of Clovelly Road, Liverpool, who had run off from the scene, was subsequently detained and the stolen property, which amounted to two pairs of trainers, and an imitation fire arm was found inside the car.
He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on 14th November where he was found guilty of robbery and possession of an imitation firearms with intent to cause fear of violence. Today, he was sentenced to nine years behind bars.
Detective Inspector Tony O’Brien said: “Chihota is a truly dangerous individual set on causing fear in our communities.
“Luckily, no one was injured during this incident and Chihota was thankfully detained quickly after these shocking events.
“We have taken the decision to release the footage of the manner in which Chihota was driving to highlight the danger he posed the public, and also to reassure the public about how professionally our officers go about their duties- the officers in this instance believed Chihota was armed and yet managed to detain him without injury to anyone.
“I’m pleased that he has been put before the courts and has received this sentence. I hope this reassures the public that we’ll continue tracing those set on committing crimes and bringing them to justice.”
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