Brave shoppers stop axe-wielding robber outside Poundland in Bristol

Brave shoppers detained an axe-wielding robber outside Poundland in Bedminster - before the criminal escaped in a stolen car and was finally stopped by police.

Danny O’Driscoll was tackled by members of the public after he threatened staff with an axe in a robbery at the discount store in East Street. But the 33-year-old managed to release himself after threatening the shoppers with a knife.

He then got into a car he had stolen from a house he burgled in Bedminster Down and drove away, hitting a PCSO on foot patrol and another vehicle as he fled the scene. He was arrested a short time later - and last week was jailed for 12 years.

The series of incidents, which happened on April 8 last year, has been described as ‘shocking’ by the PC Louise Jones, the police officer in the case.

In total, O’Driscoll pleaded guilty to seven charges; robbery, dwelling burglary, assaulting an emergency worker, aggravated vehicle taking, possession of a weapon in a public place, threatening with a bladed article in a public place and driving while disqualified.

At Bristol Crown Court last Tuesday (March 7), O’Driscoll, 33, of Four Acres in Bishopsworth, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and disqualified from driving for seven years and four months.

PC Jones said: “O’Driscoll’s disregard for the public’s safety in this case is shocking. He broke into someone’s home, stole their belongings, then robbed and threatened staff in a shop before further threats to the public.

“He caused a great deal of alarm and distress through his terrible series of crimes. We would like to thank the public for their attempts to detain O’Driscoll and we hope they are reassured by this significant sentence. We will do our upmost to hold criminals to account for their actions.”