A “violent” Charlton man who robbed multiple Greenwich shops at knifepoint over Christmas has been jailed.

 

Alex McGuinness of Wellington Gardens, targeted a string of shops from Christmas Eve through to New Year’s Day 2017.

 

During one robbery on New Year’s Eve, the 34-year-old Greenwich man entered a shop in Westcombe Hill in Charlton.

 

McGuinness closed the door to prevent other customers from entering, then threatened the shop keeper with a knife.

 

After fending off the knife-wielding robber, the shop keeper was able to retreat behind the counter while CCTV cameras captured the struggle on film.

 

McGuinness destroyed the scratch card display before demanding money, which he then made off with.

 

Other shops across the borough were targeted in a similar manner, where McGuinness would threaten the staff with a knife and stole money and scratch cards.

 

The CCTV footage was able to help Greenwich Crime Squad identify the culprit and bring McGuinness to justice.

 

He pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon, and was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court on June 15 to seven years in prison.

 

PC Simon Davey, the investigating officer from Greenwich Crime Squad, said: “These were a series of particularly nasty and violent offences.

 

“The Greenwich Crime Squad is dedicated to putting violent offenders like McGuinness behind bars, and I am pleased today to see that justice has been served.

 

“Greenwich will be a safer place with him in prison.”