Joshua Woolley
Robbery *
Sentence
7 years and 4 months custody with extended licence period of 2 years
On October 23, 2023, Joshua Woolley, under the influence of drugs, committed a spree of three robberies in Stoke-on-Trent. He entered a taxi with a woman, directed the driver towards the town centre, turned off the internal camera, demanded money, produced a knife, threatened the driver who fled, and then drove off in the cab. He then went to an Asda petrol station, filled a basket with items including tobacco, knocked products from shelves during an altercation with an employee who tried to stop him, held a bottle above his head, produced a knife, and escaped, injuring the worker's arm. Finally, at The Potteries Centre in Hanley, he approached a woman, grabbed her two necklaces worth £2,000, choked her by pulling them with force until they snapped, and was confronted by the victim and a security guard; the damaged necklaces were recovered.
Pleaded guilty to three charges of robbery and three charges of possessing a knife in public. Ingested significant quantities of illicit substances including zopliclone. Judge noted the three robberies were extremely serious with significant impact on victims. Must serve two thirds of custodial term before release.