Thief jailed after robbing Merthyr Tydfil betting shop with eight-inch bread knife

Anton Jones was a regular at the shop and didn't speak when stealing from the premises so as not to be recognised. Credit: South Wales Police

A 46-year-old man has been jailed after committing armed robbery at a betting shop in Merthyr Tydfil earlier this year.

In April, Anton Jones entered the Betfred shop in the town centre wearing a balaclava and holding an eight-inch bread knife within the sleeve of his jacket.

CCTV footage shows him approaching a staff member at the shop and demanding they handover cash, which he is seen placing into a plastic bag. South Wales Police said he stole around £600.

The force said Jones deliberately didn't speak whilst inside the premises as he is a regular at the shop and would have been recognised by staff.

Police were able to track Jones down after extensive CCTV enquiries showed his route to and from scene.

Officers were then able to locate the clothing he was wearing, which had been concealed in the undergrowth on the riverbank of the River Taff.

The items were recovered and forensically examined showing Jones’ DNA was on the clothing.

Detective Constable Paul Bishop said: “Jones is a prolific offender, with four convictions for knife point robberies in the past.

"This was a team effort to bring a dangerous and un-phased offender to justice."

Jones has been jailed for eleven-and-a-half years.

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