A man from Preston has been jailed after entering four shops wielding a machete in just a twenty minute period.
Joshua Tattersall entered the shops in Preston on 18 April 2024 between 6.39pm and 6.56pm and left victims in fear of serious injury. He fled the first three shops after members of staff raised the alarm before leaving the fourth with £100.
An investigation was launched and Lancashire Constabulary identified Tattersall as the person responsible.
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He was arrested on suspicion of, and later charged with possession of an offensive weapon, robbery, and three counts of attempted robbery.
He was found guilty in July 2025.
One of the victims said: “I remember the offender walking in and thinking, is this really happening, but when I saw the weapon I recognised that it was really happening. I felt scared, he was so close to me and the weapon was so big, I knew he could have easily reached me and seriously hurt me.”
Tattersall, 25, of Ambleside Close in Ribbleton, was last week jailed for nine years and six months at Burnley Crown Court.
DC Ben Clegg, of Preston CID, said: “No one should go to work, or pop to the shops and end up being threatened. Tattersall made a choice that day to go out for his own selfish gain and scare people.
“I welcome the significant custodial sentence brought against him, and I hope the knowledge that he has been brought to justice will allow them some comfort and to begin to move forward with their lives.”
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