A man has been jailed after admitting to a robbery at a convenience store.

Police were called just after 6pm on May 6, to M.R. Foods in Ormerod Street after receiving that a man had threatened a female member of staff and escaped with a quantity of cash. 

Following extensive and painstaking enquiries, detectives arrested Damen Kershaw after CCTV footage mapped out his movements that day and showed his attempts to try and cover his tracks.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The footage showed Kershaw leaving his address in Lydia Street, with a rucksack, and go to waste ground, where he changed his clothing in an attempt to hide his identity. He also hid the rucksack.

Kershaw then went to the shop where he waited for it to become empty, all but for the sole female employee, and committed the robbery.

He then ran into nearby back allies, removed his hoodie and discarded it.

However, by doing this he revealed a distinctive crucifix tattoo.

Sometime later Kershaw is captured walking back into his home.

An extensive CCTV trawl and search of the area resulted in the rucksack and hoodie - both which contained Kershaw’s DNA – being recovered.

Appearing before a judge at Preston Crown Court last week, Kershaw, 33, now of no fixed address but formerly of Lydia Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to robbery.

He was jailed for three years and nine months.

DC Mark Parringotn, of East CID, said: “This was a shocking, pre-planned and cowardly offence committed against a woman who was simply trying to perform her role serving the community of Accrington.

"Kershaw thought he was too clever to be caught and systematically went about covering his tracks.

"Thanks to the hard work of everyone involved in this case, we were able to prove beyond a doubt that Kershaw was responsible for this crime. He was left with little option but to admit his guilt.

"This offence clearly had an impact on the local community, many of whom spoke of their upset at this crime while we were out conducting our enquiries.

"I hope they, and the victim, are pleased that the courts have decided to send Kershaw to prison for his despicable actions that day.”