A man has been jailed to seven years in prison with a further three years on licence after committing a knifepoint robbery in Slough.

Mark Church, aged 45, entered the McColl’s Convenience Store in Scaffell Road, Slough at 6.15am on January 15 last year.

Once inside he forced a female staff member at knifepoint to the back office of the store, where she was forced to hand over the safe key.

He also forced another staff member to assist him with filling up a large bag with cigarettes.

Church stole more than £3,750 in cash, cigarettes and stamps.

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After stealing the money and tobacco, Church fled the scene, setting off a fire extinguisher inside as he departed.

No physical injuries were sustained by the shop workers.

Church, formerly of Farnburn Avenue, Slough, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery in a hearing at Reading Crown Court on Monday (June 7). As well as receiving the seven year sentence and three years on license, he was also made subject to an indefinite restraining order to protect victims.

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Investigating officer Detective Constable Zoe Batten, of Slough CID, said: “This was an exceptionally frightening ordeal for the two female victims.

“Both have worked tirelessly in the store, serving and supporting their local community, and on January 15 last year, they were faced with Church who was armed with a knife, making threats towards them.

“Both of the victims have shown great bravery during and after this terrifying act carried out against them in their place of work.

“Thankfully, no physical injuries came to either victim, but the ordeal they went through cannot be underestimated.

“I am happy to be able to let the victims in this case know, along with the public, that Mark Church has now been convicted of this dreadful crime and has received a lengthy prison sentence as a result.”