Skip navigation

Gloucestershire Business News

Milkman threatened with knife

A milkman on his early morning round was robbed of his milk float by a drug crazed teenager who threatened him with a commando style knife, a court heard.

Joshua Summerell (pictured right), 19, of no fixed abode, initially demanded a bottle of milk from milko Kingsley Wright when he saw him in Ash rd, Tewkesbury, Glos, at 5am on 22nd August, Gloucester crown court was told.

But when Mr Wright refused Summerell produced the knife, which had a six inch serrated blade. Mr Wright fled on foot and Summerell drove off at speed in the float, said prosecutor Janine Wood.

Summerell admitted robbing Mr Wright and was jailed for 27 months.

Before the incident, Summerell had spent the night drinking and taking drugs, said Mrs Wood.

She alleged that Summerell initially told Mr Wright "Give me all your money," but the defence did not accept that.

Judge Cullum ruled: "The effect on Mr Wright was that he responded to that implicit if not explicit threat. I came to the conclusion that the implicit threat is as serious."

The judge said therefore it made no difference to sentence whether Summerell spoke those words as his actions were just as serious as if he had said them.

Mr Wright said that Summerell was about five to six feet away from him when he was confronted.

In his victim statement he said "I was shocked and scared. Had I not run away I would have come to harm."

After Mr Wright fled leaving the keys behind, Summerell 'jumped in and drove off, spinning the wheels as he did,' the prosecutor said.

He drove around a few streets, before throwing the keys down a drain, causing the owners, Cotteswold Dairy, further expense, the prosecutor said.

"He went to a Mrs Preedy's house on Ash Road," Mrs Wood said. "He told her that he had committed a robbery, taking a milk float.

"She looked on Facebook and saw a report of it, and called the police to report the matter.

"His mother also called the police after he admitted to her that he had left the knife in the truck.

"He was arrested on 29th August, from his mother's house, and he resisted arrest," Mrs Wood said.

In police interview Summerell said: "It was a f***ing thrill, but I did not intend to do anything, I just wanted to threaten. That was an invitation to steal."

The court heard that Summerell had himself worked for Cotteswold Dairy for a fortnight himself in the past.

Summerell had a criminal record of 'two much lesser youthful convictions,' the prosecutor added.

Representing Summerell, Giles Nelson said of Mr Wright: "A man going about his lawful business is confronted by someone high with a weapon, and understandably he makes off.'

The barrister described his client as 'an extremely immature young man'.

"This is a young man who took a decision which meant he was living with his father from age of 12-13, with a serious lack of boundaries," Mr Nelson said.

"He was roaming free around Tewkesbury, drinking and taking drugs.

"He remains reckless, immature and he was at the time homeless.

"It was an act of wild, frightening stupidity on his part.

"He plainly was not going to get very far in the vehicle he took."

Mr Nelson submitted a letter Summerell had written: "There is a plaintive and desperate tone. He wants to see if there is anyway he can be released.

"He has spent six months on remand, but the guidelines mean that we cannot get to a figure that could be suspended.

"He was desperate at the time this particular offence took place."

The barrister urged the judge 'to keep the sentence as short as you can in the circumstances'.

Imposing 27 months detention in a young offender's institution, Judge Cullum said: "In your letter you apologise for this offence.

"This was a very serious offence, at night-time fuelled by alcohol and drugs.

"You were pre-armed with a large knife. It was a weapon that you had clearly carried for an offensive purpose

"You threatened for a thrill. You perhaps enjoyed the threat.

"You probably did not think of stealing the van, but you enjoyed driving it around the roads, before disposing of the keys.

"That was irritating for the dairy. A serious inconvenience.

"Mr Wright was in a vulnerable state. He was delivering milk in the small hours and deserves the protection of the courts. That is why it is so serious.

"You used a knife to threaten a man who was forced to run away for safety."

Related Articles

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise Image

Versarien's revenues halve and losses rise

Forest of Dean-based advanced engineering group Versarien saw its revenues halve last year.

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service Image

Gloucestershire company launches same-day service

Gloucester-based Freemans Event Partners has launched a brand-new around-the-clock foodservice logistics offer.

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court Image

Gloucester business expands at Elmbridge Court

Just three offices are now available for rent at Elmbridge Court, following the latest letting.

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking Image

Cirencester town centre to deliver improved parking

Better parking and traffic control improvements for Cirencester residents and businesses.

Copyright 2024 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.