Two men have been jailed for seven years and five months after an armed robbery at a Southampton convenience store. 

Benjamin McEwan and Kevin Taylor were sentenced at Southampton Crown Court yesterday for the robbery at One Stop on Butts Road. 

Police were called at 2.22pm on December 29 to a report that a man carrying a knife had entered the store and made threats to a member of staff. 

He then jumped over the counter and stole the till containing £300 before running away with a second man. 

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Nobody was injured and an investigation was launched. 

After analysis of CCTV and forensic evidence, McEwan, 38, of Montague Avenue and Taylor, 42, of no fixed abode were charged with robbery. 

McEwan was also charged with possession of a knife in a public place. 

He was sentenced to three years and nine months whilst Taylor received three years, eight months in prison. 

Police staff investigator Sarah Stewart said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the staff member involved and customers who were in the store at the time of the incident, which included children.

"The fact that this crime took place in the middle of the afternoon just demonstrates the brazenness and arrogance of McEwan and Taylor, who clearly had no regard for the impact on those around them.

“I hope that the swift arrest and charge of both offenders demonstrates to the public how seriously we take offences of this nature.

"No-one should have to fear violence or threatening behaviour while at work or simply going about their daily business within their community, and we will not tolerate it.

“We have been intensifying our work to target crimes committed against retail staff and will continue working alongside local businesses to address the issues they face on a daily basis with strong partnership working, dedicated patrols, proactive operations and by targeting key offenders.”