A CHESTER man who held a knife to throat of a shop assistant, robbed a Post Office at knifepoint and threatened to stab staff at a building society was jailed for six years.

Robert James Coxon, 32, of Charlotte Street was jailed for six years after admitting all nine offences and his accomplice Wayne Anthony Schofield, 40 of Dorset Road, was jailed for three and a half years at Warrington Crown Court.

Prosecuting Peter Frost told the court how Coxon’s criminal spree began on September 2 at Dee Banks, Chester where he took a Mercedes SKL from a drive after taking car keys and cash from the house.

Mr Frost said at 9.55pm that day the two defendants entered the Local Store, Queen’s Park View in Handbridge wearing balaclavas.

He said: “Coxon made his way behind the counter, and grabbed Luke (a sales assistant) by the throat.

“Luke could see Schofield had a large knife held towards him, about 10 to 12 inches in length.”

Mr Frost said they emptied the till and then told them to fill carrier bags with cigarettes.

After the robbery the pair drove the Mercedes “dangerously” before crashing it and fleeing.

Mr Frost said that on September 8, Coxon robbed Bradford and Bingley building society, Bridge Street in Chester.

Mr Frost said: “He walked straight to the counter. A Mrs Fray was being served by a member of staff, he pulled out a knife, placed his arm around her and the knife at her throat, and told the member of staff to put money into a carrier bag.”

“As he left Coxon told staff ‘If any of you come after me I am going to *F***ing stab you.’”

The court heard how on September 12 Coxon took an Audi A6 from a drive on Field Close, Tarvin and drove it to the Post Office on High Street.

Coxon entered the building and pushed behind the till.

“Rebecca Jones (a sales assistant) was startled that he had come behind the counter. She noticed that as he reached for the till he had knife in his hand.”

Coxon took money and vehicle excise books from the till.

Judge Stephen Clarke jailed Coxon for six years for the three robberies, two burglaries, two offences of taking a vehicle without the owners consent and for driving dangerously, driving whilst disqualified and without insurance. Schofield was jailed for three and a half years for committing one robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, and driving dangerously and without insurance.