Pair jailed for ‘appalling’ armed robbery in Worthing

Two men have been jailed after an armed robbery in a Worthing newsagent.
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According to Sussex Police, at 4.30pm on Thursday, December 3, two men who had been browsing in Worthing News in Rowlands Road pulled out a silver imitation revolver and demanded cash from shop workers.

The victims handed over around £400 in cash from the till and one was led to the back of the store and told to open the safe. It was empty.

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He was assaulted and hit over the head with the weapon, police said, resulting in a minor injury.

Dale Benjamin Searle and Danny Lee Cobbold SUS-210219-153659001Dale Benjamin Searle and Danny Lee Cobbold SUS-210219-153659001
Dale Benjamin Searle and Danny Lee Cobbold SUS-210219-153659001

Four bottles of vodka were taken by the defendants as they left the store.

Through intelligence and CCTV enquiries, Dale Benjamin Searle and Danny Lee Cobbold, both 32 and of no fixed address, were arrested and charged with robbery and possession of an imitation firearm.

They pleaded guilty to both offences at Lewes Crown Court today (February 19).

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Searle was sentenced to five years in prison and Cobbold was sentenced to five years and four months.

DS Andrew Ricks said: “Searle and Cobbold caused significant distress to their victims in this appalling crime and we will absolutely not tolerate this kind of violence and intimidation.

“This investigation moved at a fast pace and we are pleased the defendants have now been brought to justice.

“Our priority is keeping local communities safe and every day we work tirelessly to prevent and disrupt crime.”