Jail for knife wielding robber who ‘terrified’ staff member at Ipswich amusement arcade

Sean Nix headshot. Picture: SUFFOLK CONSTABULARY

Jailing Sean Nix, Recorder Mary Loram said he had terrified the two men, one of whom had a heart condition, during the raid at Palace Amusements in the town’s Upper Brook Street in October.

She said that between August 24 and October 8 last year Nix had “been on what could only be described as a spree of offending” which included the theft of more than £1,000 cash from Palace Amusements several weeks before the robbery.

Nix, 31, of Tavern Close, Diss, admitted robbery, theft, going equipped for theft, escape and having an offensive weapon.

Daniel Taylor, prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court said Nix and another man went to Palace Amusements on August 24 at around 4.30pm last year and loitered near a game machine towards the rear of the premises, where an employee was counting the takings.

Nix asked for change for £1 and then snatched £1,427 from the top of the counter before running off.

Six days later Nix broke into a house in Ipswich Road, Stowmarket and stole £380 of foreign currency.

He was arrested after his fingerprint was found on a door at the premises, said Mr Taylor.

On October 1, Nix returned to Palace Amusements alone and approached a member of staff and a customer while holding a kitchen knife at waist height.

He ordered the employee to open the safe and threatened to stab him if he didn’t do as he was told.

Once the safe was opened Nix put cash and coins totalling £1,070 in his jacket pocket.

He the ordered the customer to hand over £600 and threatened to stab him if he didn’t co-operate..

Following Nix’s arrest in October he was taken to Ipswich Hospital after he claimed to be unwell and while there he tried to escape but was recaptured shortly afterwards, said Mr Taylor.

Isobel Ascherson for Nix said her client had been using Class A drugs since he was 18.