Man jailed for armed robbery on petrol station

A man has been jailed for 10 years and four months after stealing cigarettes from a garage and trying to sell them to passers-by.

Damien Tominey, 37, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court on Thursday after previously pleading guilty to robbery, possession of a knife and driving a car without insurance or a licence.

Tominey went into the Jet petrol station on Scartho Road, Grimsby, on 2 January, armed with a knife, and unsuccessfully tried to access the till before filling a bag with cigarettes.

He fled and was later found by police, surrounded by cigarettes.

Det Con Connolly from Humberside Police said there could have been "catastrophic consequences".

"Whilst thankfully the staff member did not receive any physical injuries as a result of this incident, the actions of Tominey that day could have led to catastrophic consequences had he used the knife," he said.

"Tominey left the house that day intent on causing fear and distress to an innocent member of the community to fulfil his own selfish agenda.

"We do not tolerate violent crime of any kind and will always do everything we can to keep those who cause harm to our communities off our streets."

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