A man who robbed a pharmacy in Winterbourne last year at knifepoint has been sentenced to prison.
Daniel Bennett, 41 of Wedmore Vale in Bedminster, was jailed for six years and nine months, with an extended three-year licence period, after pleading guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article.
Bristol Crown Court heard that Bennett entered the pharmacy in Winterbourne on 8 August last year armed with a knife and forced staff to the rear of the store, threatening to harm them unless they handed over medication.
After obtaining the drugs, he fled in a car driven by Natasha O’Driscoll, 34, of Old Gloucester Road, Winterbourne. A child was also in the vehicle, leaning out of the passenger window.
O’Driscoll pleaded guilty to assisting an offender and neglect of a child under 16. She was sentenced to a 12-month community order and fined.
Avon and Somerset Police responded swiftly and stopped O’Driscoll. They found a large amount of prescription drugs in her car, but Bennett was not with her.
Following further enquiries, officers found him in a nearby pub car park, still in possession of a knife and prescription drugs.
While none of the pharmacy staff were physically harmed, they were "understandably shaken by what happened", according to a statement from the police.
One of the victims who managed to escape and alert the police described the traumatic experience.
“I was on my lunch break when I heard the commotion,” the victim recalled.
“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.”
DC Craig Bennett, the investigating officer, described 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,” he said.
“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, but she not only endangered her own life, but also that of a child’s,” he added.
