Forest of Dean Shopkeeper Targeted in Knife Robbery Offender Jailed for Five Years
- Catch A Thief UK
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Catch a Thief UK Breaking News | Gloucester
A man who threatened a Forest of Dean shopkeeper at knifepoint has been sentenced to five years in prison.
Eksteen De Villiers, 27, of no fixed address, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on 9 December and pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed item in a public place. The attack took place at a convenience store near Lydney on Sunday 26 October 2025.
Wearing a balaclava, De Villiers entered the store brandishing a large knife and demanded money from the till. CCTV footage captured the moment he lunged at the shopkeeper, who bravely fought back using a walking stick. No money was handed over, but De Villiers stole two bottles of spirits before fleeing the scene.
Police quickly identified De Villiers after reviewing CCTV footage showing him without the balaclava before entering the store. Officers recovered the knife and the stolen bottles, and a police dog handler later located clothing matching De Villiers’ description in nearby woodland.
In a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) read in court, the shopkeeper described the lasting psychological impact of the robbery. He said he now suffers panic attacks when alone in the shop and experiences recurring nightmares replaying the attack. “I truly thought I was going to die that day,” he told the court.
Sergeant Nick Wheeler, from the Neighbourhood Policing team in the Forest of Dean, said: “This was a nasty robbery that has left both the victim and our community feeling incredibly vulnerable. De Villiers acted in a vicious and frightening manner. This sentence reflects the seriousness with which this attack has been taken by us and the court. We will not tolerate the behaviour of anyone who feels they can subject our communities to this level of fear and intimidation.”
Alongside the prison sentence, De Villiers was issued a 10-year restraining order preventing him from entering the area.
Catch a Thief UK reminds local businesses to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
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