Robber jailed after CCTV appeal

A KNIFEPOINT robber who terrified staff at a Cleethorpes store was caught – and has now been locked up – thanks to a Grimsby Telegraph campaign, a court was told.

Kyle Brecken, 20, was caught on CCTV threatening staff at Hallett's, on the corner of St Peter's Avenue and Cambridge Street.

The owner of the store, Derek Hallett, has released footage from inside the store.

Detectives from Humberside Police also released pictures of Brecken outside the store, as part of the Grimsby Telegraph's In The Frame campaign, which aims to catch criminals by publishing CCTV images and footage.

Brecken, of Beacon Avenue in the resort, has been locked up for three years and four months after admitting the robbery on May 17.

Prosecuting at Grimsby Crown Court, Jeremy Evans said: "It was as a result of stills and footage being published by the Grimsby Telegraph that this defendant was arrested."

In a statement read to the court, shop assistant Alan Anderson said he was "scared" and "felt frightened that he was going to get stabbed".

Mr Evans said Brecken had taken a carving knife from his grandmother's kitchen before carrying out the attack, in which he took £1,600.

After the incident, Mr Evans said, Brecken called some friends and said he had won money on roulette.

He said: "They went to Skegness, stayed in a hotel and came back the next day, when Brecken went on a shopping trip and bought new clothes."

He said Brecken told police confessing was "a weight off his shoulders". Mitigating, James Sampson said Brecken admitted he needed help with a drink problem, had made full and frank admissions and was genuinely remorseful.

Recorder Tahir Khan said: "Although the incident did not last very long, your appearance – with your face covered by a scarf and brandishing a knife – must have terrified both the shop assistants."