AN armed robber has been jailed for taking more than £250 in cash from a BP till in Winnersh.

Gary Smith, 37, of no fixed abode, was found guilty on Friday (December 18) by unanimous jury verdict of one count of robbery in a trial lasting four days at Reading Crown Court.

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At approximately 4.45pm on June 28 this year, Smith went to the BP Triangle petrol station in Winnersh.

He knocked on the night pay window as the petrol station doors were locked, and was let into the premises.

Smith then went to the counter, producing a claw hammer from his pocket and demanded money from the tills.

The cashier, a 24-year-old woman, handed over the contents of two tills and Smith left with £265 in cash.

He was arrested on the same day and charged on June 29.

He was sentenced last week to four years in prison.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Dennis Hicks, of the Priority Crime Team, said: “Smith was allowed inside by a staff member at the BP petrol station and threatened the cashier with a hammer, demanding money.

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“The victim was naturally traumatised by this experience and I am pleased that Smith has been brought to justice.

“I know that the victim in this case will have to deal with the impact this incident has had on her for some time to come, but I do hope that the verdict and prison sentence will help her to move on from this.”