A MAN has been jailed for his part in a raid at a Co-op store in Stanford-le-Hope.

Billy Bugby, 32, of Longbridge Road, Barking, was left with no choice but to admit to his part in the theft of more than £1,300 worth of goods, thanks to the work of Grays CID.

On Saturday 29 April, Bugby and accomplice Daniel Dash, 30, entered the store shortly after 9.30pm, before proceeding to access the area behind the tills.

He pulled open a drawer and removed bottles of alcohol and cigarettes, also taking scratch cards from the till area.

The goods were stashed in a bag, before the pair left the shop.

Witnesses reported seeing a knife and said threats were made towards staff.

Officers took statements from employees at the store and members of the public who witnessed the incident, also conducting fast-paced CCTV enquires and examination of footage captured at the scene.

CCTV footage and descriptions of Bugby and Dash were circulated.

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Bugby was spotted by an officer on patrol on Barking, London, on 7 May. He was recognised as wanted and promptly arrested.

He was charged with robbery and due to the weight of the evidence compiled against him, admitted the offence.

Appearing at Basildon Crown Court he was sentenced to two years' imprisonment.

Dash, of no fixed address, was arrested on 5 May and is due to be sentenced on Thursday, 2 November.

One Co-op worker, who police supported throughout the investigation, said she had yet to return to work due to the impact of the crime.

She said: "People who work in shops are often subject to threats or fear for our safety when we are just doing our jobs.

"I am pleased one of the people responsible for this robbery has been caught and sentenced.

"I would like to thank the officers who investigated this incident and kept me updated throughout a difficult process."

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DS Claire Morton, of Grays CID, said: "This robbery understandably left a lasting impact on the members of staff who were threatened and made to feel helpless by Bugby's actions.

"No-one should be made to feel unsafe while simply going about their business at their place of work.

"Where incidents of this nature are reported to us, we will work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.

"We are all too aware of not just the financial impact of the theft from businesses, but also of the emotional and psychological trauma caused by crimes of this nature."