Robber jailed after brutal attack on couple at Orford store

VIDEO: A man who brutally assaulted a couple while carrying out a robbery at their Warrington convenience store has been jailed.

Ian Shipley, 35, of no fixed address, was sentenced to seven years six months in prison at Liverpool Crown Court today (Thursday) after earlier pleading guilty to attempted robbery, wound/inflict grievous bodily harm without intents and actual bodily harm.

He was also ordered to serve a further two years six months on licence and handed a ten year restraining order.

Shipley carried out the brutal attack on Thursday 13 September 2018 at the Local Express Store on Concorde Way, Orford.

He entered the building at around 10pm when the owners, a 65-year-old man and his 59-year-old wife, were alone in the store.

Once inside he first grabbed hold of the man from behind and repeatedly hit him on the head with a bottle and demanded that he opened the till.

Fearing for her husband’s safety, the woman attempted to intervene, only to also be assaulted by Shipley, who punched her in the face several times.

Following the sustained attack, the pair managed to flee the store, with the owner dragging himself across the floor in a desperate attempt to seek help from passers-by.

Alone in the store, Shipley made his way behind the counter. He attempted to access the tills before exiting the store empty handed, calmly stepping over the owner as he lay seriously injured on the floor.

Detective Constable Carl Davis said: “The level of brutality used by Shipley was appalling and inexcusable.

“He carried out a sustained and violent attack on the victims despite the fact that they did not show any aggression towards him at any stage.

“His actions in using his superior power and strength to repeatedly attack the victims were cruel and cowardly.

“The incident left the victims with a number of serious injuries, including a fractured cheekbone.

“While the injuries they sustained will heal over time, the memories of Shipley’s shocking attack will stay with them forever.

“However I hope that the sentence handed to him today will help to provide some closure and allow them to move on with their lives.”