A 46-year-old man with 38 previous convictions for 89 offences has been jailed after threatening a shopworker with a claw hammer during a robbery at the Co-op on Gower Road in Sketty.
Christopher Barnett, of Birchtree Close, Sketty Park, was sentenced to 38 months in prison at Swansea Crown Court after admitting robbery, possession of an offensive weapon and a separate shop theft.
The court heard that Barnett entered the Co-op on the evening of 21 July 2026, behaving loudly and talking about vapes. His behaviour immediately caused concern for the member of staff on duty, who retreated behind the counter.
Barnett followed the employee before pulling a claw hammer from a shopping bag and threatening to smash his head in. The frightened worker backed away, holding his hands up to demonstrate that he did not want a confrontation.
Despite threatening the employee, Barnett told him that he did not intend to hurt him, but that he was going to rob the shop.
He demanded money from the till and bottles of gin from the shelves, eventually leaving the premises with £276 in cash and the alcohol.
In a particularly bizarre exchange, Barnett told the employee that he had respect for people who worked in shops, despite having just threatened him with a hammer.
Police subsequently identified and arrested Barnett, who told officers that he was unemployed, experiencing financial difficulties and had given up on life. He also asked to be sent to prison for as long as possible.
The court heard that Barnett had accumulated 38 previous convictions covering a total of 89 offences, including numerous theft-related crimes. He also admitted stealing food from the Sainsbury's store in Uplands on 20 July, the day before the Co-op robbery.
During the sentencing hearing, the court was told of the significant impact the incident had on the shopworker. In a victim impact statement, the employee described how the experience had affected both his personal life and his ability to work.
Barnett's barrister, Andrew Evans, explained that his client had struggled with substance misuse for much of his adult life and had been on a drugs binge at the time of the robbery.
Judge Paul Thomas KC acknowledged letters written by Barnett and his partner, but warned him that he risked wasting his life if he failed to accept the help he needed.
The judge told Barnett that he was fortunate to have a supportive family and a stable relationship, but that his continued behaviour was placing considerable strain on those closest to him.
Barnett appeared at the sentencing hearing by video link from prison. His sentence was reduced by a third to reflect his guilty pleas.
He apologised to the shopworker and expressed a wish to write him a personal letter.
The robbery took place in the heart of Sketty's shopping area, at a convenience store used daily by many local residents. Although the employee was not physically injured, his victim impact statement made clear that the ordeal had left a lasting impression.
Barnett was sentenced to three years and two months in prison for the robbery and associated offences.
