Convicted robber jailed for crime spree

A convicted robber who stabbed a store boss in the head and throttled a jeweller two weeks later was jailed for nearly seven years today (tues).

Clinton Purcell, 30, struck three times in just one day during a crime spree across east London.

Purcell leaned over the counter of the Post Office in Forest Gate on 12 January and waving a knife at cashier Mukilan Sinnarasa.

He screamed ‘money, money’ at the shocked worker before fleeing empty handed, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Purcell then made his way to William Hill bookmakers in nearby Romford Road and slipped his knife underneath the screen, demanding: ‘Give me all the money and no-one will get hurt.’

He again left with nothing but the terrified worker he threatened needed to take three days off work.

That evening he marched into the Corner Food Store with his hood up and told shopkeeper Radoslaw Buczynski to put all the cash from the till in a bag.

Purcell again pulled a large knife out but Mr Buczynski started hitting him with a snooker cue concealed beneath the till.

The robber slashed back at the brave shopkeeper and left him with wounds to his shoulder and the back of his head.

Two weeks later he targeted the Richard Miles Jewellers, throttling lone staff member Lata Dewchand and shouting at her: ‘Give me all your gold.’

Ms Dewchand’s son intervened and suffered minor cuts and bruises trying to apprehend him.

Purcell was later arrested and admitted three charges of attempted robbery along with one of unlawful wounding in relation to his 12 January spree.

He also admitted charges of assault with intent to steal and assault by beating in respect of the jewellery store.

The court heard Purcell has 14 convictions for 16 offences including possessing a knife and robberies in 2007 and 2009 in which he attacked women bus passengers.

He was jailed for 30 months for burglary in 2014 and was still on licence at the time of his most recent offences.

Judge Neil Sanders told Purcell: ‘The effect on Mr Buczynski was significant.

‘He has had pain from the injuries themselves and he was considerably affected mentally by it.

‘He has suffered significant loss both financially and also in that he has been turning to drink which has had an effect on his relationship with his wife and child.

‘He was off and he had to close his shop for 11 days and has had to employ additional staff.

‘Ms Dewchand has suffered flashbacks, she had not gone back to work within a short time of it and her son was undoubtedly shaken up as well.’

He added: ‘In my view the most serious of these offences was the attempted robbery of the corner shop.

‘Serious psychological harm was caused to Mr Buczynski and there was serious detrimental effects on his business.

‘You used a weapon to inflict violence.’

Purcell, of (50) Hall Road, Handsworth, Birmingham, was jailed for six years and eight months.
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