A Penhill man held a supermarket staff member at knifepoint during a robbery.

Bradley Stacey, of Stapleford Way, entered the Abbey Meads Tesco Express on December 8, 2023, and threatened an employee with a blade while demanding money from the till.

Officers soon found the 21-year-old nearby and arrested him on suspicion of robbery and possession of a bladed article.

He added further offences to his list by spitting in the back of a police van, damaging bedding in his cell, smeared blood on the cell wall, and made verbal threats towards officers.

The defendant appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Thursday, January 25, and pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, possession of a bladed article, two counts of criminal damage and a public order offence.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on April 9.

DC Sally Booth of Swindon CID said: “Stacey’s behaviour has been disgraceful.

“His actions understandably left staff feeling shaken by the incident.

"Our officers shouldn’t have to be subjected to the kind of abuse and threats that Stacey made.

“It is also unacceptable that officers have had to clean up after him. The police van and cell need a deep clean before they can be used again.

“Nobody should have to deal with these kinds of things while going about their work.”