Knife threat shoplifter is jailed

Dean Clementson was given a total of 28 months behind bars for the frightening incident at Tyldesley’s B&M Bargains store on March 11 as well as for having another knife in public last month.

A Bolton Crown Court judge heard that the 28-year-old of Samuel Street, Tyldesley, entered B&M, filled a basket and left the store without paying. Security personnel followed him and challenged him at which he pulled out a black handled 5ins lock knife and pointed this towards them and walked off with the basket of goods comprising washing powder, gin and dog treats worth just over £50.

Months later, shortly after 1pm on October 16, police attended a report of criminal damage in Leigh and carried out a search of the area for those responsible.

During this they conducted a stop and search of Clementson on Hope Carr Road and found that he had a small multi-coloured pocket knife in his possession.

Clementson was given 18 months for threatening the security personnel and 10 months - to be served consecutively - for possessing the pocket knife.

He was also sentenced to three months for the theft but that term will run concurrently with the others.