Man who held pharmacy staff at knifepoint jailed

A man who rounded up pharmacy staff at knifepoint until they handed over prescription medication has been jailed.

Daniel Bennett, 41, of Bedminster, Bristol, was jailed for six years and nine months after admitting robbery and possessing a bladed article.

He entered the pharmacy in Winterbourne with a knife on 8 August and forced staff to the rear of the store where he threatened to harm them, Bristol Crown Court was told.

After stealing the medication, he fled in a car driven by Natasha O'Driscoll, 34, of Winterbourne. She had a child with her leaning out of a car window and admitted assisting an offender and neglect of a child under 16. She was handed a 12-month community order and a fine.

The judge also handed Bennett, of Wedmore Vale, an extended three-year licence period.

Avon and Somerset Police said they stopped O'Driscoll, of Old Gloucester Road, and found a large amount of prescription drugs in her car, but Bennett was not with her.

Their inquiries led them to locate him in the car park of a nearby pub and found him in possession of a knife and a quantity of prescription drugs.

None of the staff were physically harmed in the incident but were "understandably shaken by what happened", a force spokesperson said.

According to police, one of the victims said they were on their lunch break when they heard the "commotion" inside the store.

"I grabbed my bag and phone and walked behind the guy who was holding my colleagues at knifepoint. I made it out and called the police.

"I had to take time off work due to lack of sleep, because I was getting flashbacks to what happened.

"This is not something any of us will be able to get over. We feel unsafe and I will always be looking over my shoulder."

Det Con Craig Bennett, described the actions of Bennett that day as "reckless and dangerous".

"He appeared to give no thought for how his behaviour would harm those around him, he was focused on stealing those prescription drugs for his own benefit," he said.

"The victims have been left feeling vulnerable and fearful following the incident, and I have to commend them for the strength they have shown in supporting our investigation.

"O'Driscoll acted as the getaway driver for Bennett's scheme, but she not only endangered her own life, but also that of a child's."

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.