Man Jailed for Nine Years After Hour-Long Knifepoint Crime Spree
A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to nine years and four months in prison following a terrifying series of knifepoint robberies that occurred within just one hour in Stoke-on-Trent. Joshua Woolley, of no fixed address, carried out three separate robberies on Thursday, October 23 last year, using a knife to threaten his victims during the spree.
Details of the Robbery Spree
The crime spree began just before 3pm on Dawlish Drive in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent, when Woolley entered a taxi. After the vehicle stopped on Crestbrook Road in Abbey Hulton, Woolley removed a knife from his waistband and threatened the driver, who exited the vehicle. Woolley then chased the driver around the car before getting into the driver's seat and driving away in the stolen taxi.
Woolley next drove the stolen taxi to a petrol station on Ruxley Road in Bucknall, where he again brandished the knife and demanded cash from a staff member. He also stole a box containing tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes from the premises.
At approximately 3.40pm, Woolley approached a woman at The Potteries Shopping Centre in Hanley and forcibly removed two gold chains worth approximately £2,000 from around her neck.
Arrest and Sentencing
Police officers stopped Woolley nearby shortly after the final robbery. A search of a bag he was carrying revealed the stolen gold chains, cigarettes, and a large kitchen knife. Woolley was arrested and, despite initially answering "no comment" to all questions during police interviews, later admitted to the offences in court when presented with forensic evidence.
The stolen taxi was located on Arbour Road on the same day, providing crucial forensic evidence that helped secure the conviction.
Woolley appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Wednesday, April 1, where he pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery and three counts of possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place. He was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison.
Police Response
Lead investigator Pierce Linton stated: "Woolley committed three knifepoint robberies across Stoke-on-Trent in the space of around an hour. He showed no regard for his victims, thankfully none of which were injured, or their belongings. The taxi was located on the same day, on Arbour Road, and provided invaluable forensic evidence which eventually led to Woolley admitting the offences in court. I hope this sentence shows we are committed to protecting victims across Stoke-on-Trent and wider Staffordshire."
A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police added: "A man has been jailed for almost ten years after he admitted committing three knifepoint robberies in around one hour. Woolley was stopped nearby and a bag he was carrying was searched, where officers found two necklaces, cigarettes and a large kitchen knife. He was arrested and despite answering 'no comment' to all questions when he was interviewed in custody, later admitted the offences in court when presented with the evidence against him."
