Rotherham man jailed for using imitation firearm

South Yorkshire Police custody photo of Gareth Troop

A 27-YEAR-OLD man who attempted to rob a store with an imitation firearm and hit and injured the shopkeeper has been jailed for six years and four months.

Gareth Troop, of Goldsmith Drive, entered the Premier shop on Doncaster Road, Rotherham equipped with an imitation firearm on April 26 this year at around 8.45pm, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

He approached the victim at the counter and shouted at the shop worker demanding money while pulling out the imitation firearm from his waist band.

Troop then let himself behind the counter, where he hit the victim on the head causing minor injuries.

The victim pushed Troop out from behind the counter and out the door where he ran to an address nearby to swap his clothes in the hopes of not getting caught.

Troop appeared before the court on Monday (October 2) where he pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and attempted robbery and was sentenced the same day.

Investigating officer PC Jemma King said: “We are extremely pleased with the time Troop has been put behind bars.

“The victim showed courage during the altercation, pushing Troop away from them without knowing if the firearm he had was real or not.

“I hope this serves as a warning to those who possess an imitation firearm and intend to use it to cause fear or violence, we will not stand these offences.”