Two men sentenced to prison following 'terrifying' Southampton robbery at One Stop

Benjamin McEwan and Kevin Taylor appeared at Southampton Crown Court yesterday (March 14) for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to a robbery at the Butts Road store in December 2023.

The police were called at 2:22pm on December 29 to a report that a man carrying a knife had entered the store and made threats to a member of staff before jumping over the counter and stealing the till, which contained £300, before running away with a second man. Nobody was injured.

An investigation was launched and following CCTV and forensic enquiries officers arrested McEwan, 38, of Montague Avenue, and Taylor, 42, of no fixed abode. They were subsequently both charged with robbery. McEwan was also charged with possession of a knife in a public place.

 At their court hearing yesterday, McEwan was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison while Taylor was sentenced to three years and eight months.

 Police staff investigator Sarah Stewart, of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Western Area Crime Team - who led the investigation – said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the staff member involved and customers who were in the store at the time of the incident, which included children. The fact that this crime took place in the middle of the afternoon just demonstrates the brazenness and arrogance of McEwan and Taylor, who clearly had no regard for the impact on those around them.

 “I hope that the swift arrest and charge of both offenders demonstrates to the public how seriously we take offences of this nature. No-one should have to fear violence or threatening behaviour while at work or simply going about their daily business within their community, and we will not tolerate it.

 “We have been intensifying our work to target crimes committed against retail staff and will continue working alongside local businesses to address the issues they face on a daily basis with strong partnership working, dedicated patrols, proactive operations and by targeting key offenders.”