Two robbers have been jailed after threatening shop staff with knives.

Stuart Girt and Melissa Goldstone both admitted they had carried out the robbery of a shop in Cheriton High Street near Folkestone last year.

The pair pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a knife yesterday at Canterbury Crown Court following an investigation by the Chief Constable's Crime Squad.

Girt and Goldstone were both wearing masks when they entered a shop in Cheriton High Street at 6.30am on Friday, September 4.

Girt, who was holding a seven-inch bread knife, went behind the counter and ordered a worker to open the till.

Goldstone, who was holding a shorter vegetable knife, pointed the weapon at another worker.

The two robbers stole more than £300 in cash and took packets of cigarettes before leaving the store.

One of the workers then pressed the panic alarm and Kent Police arrived at the scene.

CCTV images from the area were obtained and local police officers identified Girt, of Valebrook Close, Folkestone, and Goldstone, of no fixed address.

They were both arrested on Tuesday 15 September 2020.

Girt, 42, was jailed for five years yesterday and Goldstone, 37, received a four-year, nine-month sentence.

Detective Sergeant Jay Robinson, of the Chief Constable's Crime Squad, said: "This robbery would have been terrifying for the shop workers, who were merely doing their jobs providing a service to the local community.

"I am pleased the swift investigation carried out by our officers led to the arrest of these two offenders, who have now been jailed and removed from the streets of Folkestone."

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