A TIDWORTH woman has been jailed following an armed raid on a town convenience store.

Pippa Louise Simpson, of George VI Road, was sentenced to three years behind bars after pleading guilty to robbing the Spar Shop in Pennings Road.

Salisbury Crown Court heard how Simpson entered the store at around 9.45pm on Wednesday, 15 October, armed with a knife.

Wearing a gas mask to conceal her face, the 22-year-old threatened a member of staff with the blade and demanded that the till was opened, the court was told.

Dressed in a black puffa jacket, red hoodie and grey Adidas bottoms, Simpson then grabbed a quantity of cash and cigarettes from the counter before fleeing the shop, narrowly avoiding being hit by a car before making her getaway up Sidbury Circular Road.

The member of staff at the store was left shaken but unhurt in the raid.

Following the sentencing DC Trevor Morgan of Wiltshire Police said: “This case had a huge impact on the community and local people were rightly very concerned.

“Fortunately crimes of this nature are rare in Tidworth and the offender was quickly identified and arrested.

“We hope that this investigation shows that we will make every effort to put those who commit such offences before the courts and help keep our communities safe.”

A 15-year-old boy, also from Tidworth, has pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods and assisting an offender. He has been bailed awaiting sentencing.