Shopkeeper defiant as thug who beat her is locked up - CCTV

March 17, 2010

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A shopkeeper who was repeatedly punched as she tried in vain to stop a robber grabbing a bag containing £11,000 in takings has said she would do the same again.

Mum-of-four Ann Blackburn, 55, owner of Bargain Booze in Eccles, told of her terror after being confronted by Ryan Paul Jones.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to robbery at an earlier hearing and was jailed for five years at Bolton Crown Court.

Ann said: “I think he should have got 10 years. I was terrified at the time and have had mixed feelings since. I have been angry and upset. I went to the hospital straight after it happened and was there for about an hour.

“When I came out I went straight back and opened the shop again. All I could think of was getting back. This shop is our livelihood and that money means a lot to us. We nearly went under after the robbery because although we are insured the money took a long time to come through. He’s such a low life. If it happened again, I would do the same thing.”

Ann was opening the shop, on Monton Road, Eccles, when she saw two motorbikes. Jones, of Inghamwood Close, Higher Broughton, forced open the door and dragged Ann by the neck into a cellar.

Dramatic CCTV footage shows Jones repeatedly punching her in the head as she tried to hang on to the bag. Ann tried to fight him off and grabbed his leg, but he kicked her and fled with the money.

Ann, who lives with her husband Harry in Cadishead, added: “I think Jones has got off lightly with five years. It must be frustrating for the police after all their hard work.”

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ADAZ, manchester (17/03/2010 at 12:17)

scumbags

Mad Welsh Scotsman, Cadishead (17/03/2010 at 12:23)

A lot of people don't realise, including judges and law lords that things like this can affect people psychologically for years after, well done Ann for standing up to him, I hope you don't have to go through that again though.

NavaronUK, Manchester (17/03/2010 at 12:47)

another soft sentence

Andrew Grundy (17/03/2010 at 13:07)

This is my mother and I am very proud of what she did. Idiots like this who feel they can get through life by mugging people should be either locked up and never seen again or handed over to the family for true retribution!!Unfortunately our legal system seems to think 5 years is adequate for a repeat offender who has done this before....very disappointing but well done Mum.

Dzenko, Manchester (17/03/2010 at 13:50)

This heartless thug should have been sent down for 10 years minimum for hitting a defenceless woman. Thugs like him have no place in our society! I praise Ann for standing up to the thug and willing to return to work.

James Yates, Hyde, Cheshire (17/03/2010 at 14:33)

Why don't we insist on electing our judges? Writing to newspaper moaning about soft sentences and lets'-be-nice-to-criminals magistrates will not get us anywhere. The men and women who built Manchester changed things; they didn't just moan. We want ELECTED judges, prison governers, magistrates, and police chiefs. Letting the Queen in London appoint our rulers is no longer good enough. We want democracy; or am I just a looney troublemaker?

Black Flag (17/03/2010 at 14:50)

James Yates: "The men and women who built Manchester changed things; they didn't just moan. We want ELECTED judges, prison governers, magistrates, and police chiefs."

Well, why don't you follow their example and instead of moaning because you can't choose who the responsibility is passed on to, actually do something and become a magistrate?

"or am I just a looney troublemaker?"

I wouldn't go that far. You're probably just very mis-guided.

Mike S, Manchester (17/03/2010 at 16:05)

James Yates - whilst judges are not elected per se, they are bound by sentencing guidelines set by the elected government. Any sentence in excess of these guidelines would trigger an automatic right of appeal for the srumbag criminal and waste thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money. If you don't think the sentences are severe enough (which I think most of us feel), look for a party that will build more prisons and impose tougher sentences.

For once though I agree with Black Flag about you becoming a magistrate if it bothers you so much (although if you did you'd then experience what it's like being bound by sentencing guidelines and would probably stop blaming judges for the paltry sentences being handed out).

silver-fox, Chorlton (17/03/2010 at 22:00)

Mike S, unfortunately it doesn't seem to be as cut and dried as that, at least that would be transparent. What about the teenager from a few months ago who was let off for raping a small boy, because the boy's Christian parents had forgiven him, then went free only to do it again to another small lad? Judges have a lot of discretion. On the other hand, yes the guidelines aim to keep things proportionate, otherwise the criminal could think "I might as well do xyz to the victim as well, since the sentence if I get caught will be the same"

Nicki Grundy (18/03/2010 at 13:09)

The sentence, whilst very disappointing considering the hurt and trauma caused to Ann and her family, is still a small victory and hopefully Ann can feel proud that this thug has been caught and jailed, and hasn't got away with it, like so many other crimes that go unsolved. Well done for pursuing it and protecting your hard earned living!

Samkool, Manchester (18/03/2010 at 14:04)

I think until you don't put tough punishment for the crime means if there is no detterence, these people will not stop, so a tough reward to be there in order to reduce these incidents
M.A
Mancheter

The Realist SW14 (19/03/2010 at 09:51)

Blair's Britain = scum nation.

FACT (in my personal opinion)

Almighty God, Salford - vote Green (19/03/2010 at 13:17)

@James Yates, "The men and women who built Manchester changed things; they didn't just moan. We want ELECTED judges, prison governers, magistrates, and police chiefs."

you should really read http://www.amazon.com/Condition-Working-England-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140444866

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