VIDEO FOOTAGE: Jail for knife thug who fled empty-handed after Dagenham have-a-go jeweller’s bravery
A man has been jailed for four years following a violent attempted robbery at a jewellers in Dagenham.
Anthony Joyce, 30, of Rainham Road South, Dagenham, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Snaresbrook Crown Court on March 15 and was sentenced last Thursday at the Old Bailey.
Police later described the “bravery and courage” displayed by the shop owner of Harrolds Discount Jewellers in Heathway, who risked his own safety in charging at the thug who had pounced on one of his staff members with a knife.
Joyce was captured on CCTV pulling the weapon from his jacket pocket and lunging towards the female shop assistant on October 21 last year. He then grabbed her around the neck and held the blade to her throat.
The shop owner reacted quickly and forced Joyce to release the woman before wrestling with him and trying to grab the weapon.
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He eventually managed to seize a broom and forced Joyce from the property.
Joyce was later identified and arrested on December 23 and charged with robbery.
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Det Ch Insp Ian Corner, of the Met’s Flying Squad at Barking, said: “This was a vicious attack that left both the owner of the shop and his female assistant extremely shaken.
“Joyce appeared determined to take as much as he could from the jewellers but he clearly hadn’t accounted for the bravery and courage displayed by the owner.”
Charges against Joyce of possession of a knife or bladed article in a public place and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm were left to lie on file.
