A CRIMINAL who stabbed a woman with a needle while robbing a store will spend years behind bars.

On June 9, Robert Leverton, of no fixed abode, entered a shop on Sackville Street and stole around £42 worth of goods.

When a 24-year-old woman attempted to stop the thief, he stabbed her with a needle - although she was not seriously injured as a result of the attack.

Leverton, 30, was arrested on suspicion of robbery by officers on June 12 and at a police interview that same day he denied the offence.

When officers presented Leverton with CCTV footage of him at the shop, he denied that it was him but could not explain how the victim knew his name and was able to describe his appearance, down to a tattoo on his neck.

Leverton also stated that it was a coincidence that he was wearing very similar clothing when he was arrested to that shown in the CCTV footage.

Despite his denials, Leverton pleaded guilty to robbery at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday and was sentenced the same day to five years and ten months in prison - he was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £228.

Detective Constable Charlie Foye said: “Leverton is a prolific offender and I am glad to see him receive a lengthy sentence for his disgusting crime.

“This case goes to show that shoplifting is far from a victimless crime, as innocent people are often hurt or threatened as offenders attempt to make off with stolen goods.

“I hope that Leverton will consider whether it was worth stealing £42 worth of items now that he will spend more than half a decade behind bars, and I hope he will make better choices when he is eventually released.”