Two jailed after 2 robberies in a week in Radcliffe

Louis Dearden, 31, of Copse Drive, Bury, and Anton Cassidy, 30, of no fixed address, both appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to be sentenced after two robberies in Radcliffe in the space of a week.

The court heard that on October 5, 2021 the pair made their way to a Bargain Booze in Radcliffe town centre.

At around 10.55am, Dearden walked in with a face covering and approached the shop assistant behind the counter, demanding her to “give us the money”.

She initially refused and Dearden went around to the back of the counter, repeatedly saying “give us your f****** money”.

Charlotte Rimmer, prosecuting, said that while Dearden was demanding the money, Cassidy was stood by the door to make sure no customers walked in.

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Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court (Image: Public)

CCTV footage of the robbery showed that when Dearden walked around the back of the counter, he brandished what looked like a blade and pointed it at the shop worker, while saying “open the f****** till”.

The shop worker said how she was cornered and feared for her life and she eventually opened the till and watched Dearden take around £150.

The bladed article was found to be a paint stripper but it was still deemed to be an object that could cause injury.

The second till was opened by another shop worker who was not on the shop floor at the time.

She opened this while he was taking money from the first till.

Dearden and Cassidy left with around £400 to £500 altogether.

The shop workers said they felt very vulnerable and shaken up by the event and that they feared for their safety, the court heard.

A week later, on October 11, 2021, the pair were involved in another robbery.

The victim, Steven Penny, had arranged to meet at friend at the Morning Star pub on Thomas Street in Radcliffe.

But she did not arrive so he decided to go home on his bike.

During his ride home, he came across two woman and an altercation occurred for an unknown reason.

Dearden then appeared and became involved in the dispute, which resulted in a scuffle breaking out and Dearden claiming he was struck with a pocket knife that Mr Penny had brandished, which caused superficial cuts to his chest area.

The court heard that Mr Penny said he carried a multitool kit with him as he was a joiner but denied using the pocket knife.

CCTV from the incident caught Dearden riding off with Mr Penny’s bike before reappearing shortly after with Cassidy.

A second altercation occurred where Mr Penny was dragged to the floor by Dearden and Cassidy.

Cassidy was seen kicking Mr Penny as he was stumbling around.

Dearden, Cassidy and the two women then punched, kicked and stamped on Mr Penny.

Dearden then stole Mr Penny’s phone and left on the bike before meeting Cassidy and the two women elsewhere.

Mr Penny refused to go to hospital and was taken home. His injuries included a bust lip and a swollen ear and jaw.

He said the assault increased his anxiety and he is taking anti-depressants to help him sleep.

He was also scarred and feared Dearden and Cassidy would find out where he lived and was worried about the repercussions of telling police.

Defending Dearden, Alex Beevers told the court that his client has expressed genuine remorse and has addressed the victims, apologising for the distress he had caused them.

He also said that this type of offence was out of character for Dearden and he is not a repeat offender for this type of crime.

The robbery was also of low value and it seemed fairly opportunistic with some planning but not fully premediated and the crime lasted for less than a minute, the court was told.

Mr Beevers also said how Dearden was in a very dark place at the time of the crime and had a problem with alcohol and drugs which made him turn to criminality to pay his debts.

Mr Beevers added: “He has identified his offending behaviour and has taken steps to address it.

“He has made progress in custody like doing a drug awareness course, a positive thinking course, a cocaine awareness course and a craving and triggers course.”

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Louis Dearden (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Niamh McGinty, defending Cassidy, argued that her client played no role in the robbery at the Bargain Booze store but that he accepts that he did assault Mr Penny.

Ms McGinty said: “He accepts his role in Mr Penny’s assault, but he played a lesser role.

“It was impulsive and he was acting in defence of Dearden as he thought he was under attack.”

She added that he can be easily influenced as it seems he lacks consequential thinking skills.

The court also heard that when he is released he will have a renewed motivation to stay out of trouble and he wants to play active role in his children’s lives.

He has employment as a roofer waiting on his release and has completed courses and hopes to continue on this positive trajectory, the court was told.

Anton Cassidy (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Summarising the cases, Recorder Michael Smith stated that in the Bargain Booze robbery the two shop workers were seriously intimidated and were left feeling very vulnerable and scared.

In relation to the robbery of Mr Penny, he said Mr Penny has been left with intense anxiety and has to take anti-depressants to help with his sleep.

He sentenced Dearden to eight years and three months for two counts of robbery and possession of a weapon.

He sentenced Cassidy to five years and eight months for robbery and actual bodily harm.