A Swindon criminal has been jailed for threatening a woman with a knife.

Stuart Randall, 43, of High Street, Swindon, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court after pleading guilty at a hearing in June. 

Officers responded to reports of a knifepoint robbery near Wood Street at around 8am on June 4, temporarily closing the road while emergency service workers and vehicles attended. 

The abandoned Co-op funeral building on the High Street was also raided by officers that morning and three men were led away in handcuffs. 

One had been arrested on suspicion of robbery and the other two on suspicion of affray.

(Image: Newsquest) Randall was later charged after threatening a woman with a knife on Hooper's Place and making off with a bag containing a laptop. 

For the knife offence, he was sentenced to 21 months in jail and was also ordered to pay £187 surcharge after his sentencing hearing at Swindon Crown Court on August 2. 

Volume Crime Team Supervisor Dan Cook said: "Every day we see first-hand the devastating effects of knives on the lives of individuals, particularly young people and we must always look at what action can be taken to prevent access to these deadly weapons that are used for violence, intimidation and harm. 

"As always, the public play a vital role in helping to keep knives off our streets. If you know someone is carrying a knife, purchasing one or that someone being exploited to do so, please report it to us so that we can take appropriate action."