A hooded man who demanded valium from a pharmacy at knifepoint has been jailed for two and a half years.
Paul Sunday Akinmurele, of James Street, in Castletown, tried to disguise himself with a hood and sunglasses but was recognised by the couple who run the chemist as he regularly picked up prescriptions there.
The 45-year-old admitted attempted robbery after demanding to be given valium.
Deemster Alastair Montgomerie told him: ’I have seen photos of your clothing at the time of the commission of the robbery and the knife you used.
’Putting it bluntly the owner must have been absolutely terrified.
’Both she and her husband should be commended for acting so calmly and in effectively defusing the situation. Given your knife, matters could have gone horribly wrong.’
Prosecutor Hazel Carroon told the court how, on August 31 at 4.30pm, Akinmurele went into Castle Pharmacy in Malew Street in Castletown.
He was wearing a dark coat with the hood pulled up tight and wrapped around the sides of his face, sunglasses and had something covering his lips.
The shop owner said that Akinmurele was carrying a black bag and holding a knife in his right hand which, including the handle, was about the length of an A4 sheet of paper.
He walked behind the shop counter and pointed the knife at the bag saying: ’Valium. Put the valium in there.’
He then nudged the woman and repeated: ’Valium.’
The woman said she was not sure where it was and shouted to her husband.
Akinmurele then nudged her back towards the dispensary when woman’s husband appeared. He recognised Akinmurele’s voice and said to him: ’Come on Paul.’
Akinmurele continued his robbery attempt saying: ’Who is Paul? Put the valium in there.’
The man then called Akinmurele by his full name which resulted in him calming down and removing the hood and sunglasses.
The chemist told Akinmurele the manufacturer did not make what he was looking for anymore and that he would need a prescription anyway. He then told Akinmurele to ’go home’ and he left the shop.
The couple did not report the matter but on September 3 Akinmurele returned to the chemist with a member of the Drug and Alcohol Team and apologised for his actions.
The following day the Crisis Response Team visited the chemist and the couple confirmed that Akinmurele had been demanding valium.
He was arrested on September 5 but asked police: ’What are you on about?’
A search of his home found the items used in the attempted robbery.
In a police interview he gave ’no comment’ responses to all questions.
The court heard that Akinmurele is also due to be sentenced for offences of criminal damage, possession of a bladed article and being drunk and disorderly at the summary court today (Tuesday) in relation to a separate incident.
Defence advocate Paul Glover said: ’Mr Akinmurele described himself as a desperate man at the time of the offence.
’His plan to get diazepam was essentially doomed to failure from the start. His disguise was appalling. He was going somewhere where they knew him very well and the pharmacy was around the corner from his home.
’He removed his disguise and fortunately the situation was calmed very quickly very much to the credit of the shop owner.
’They decided not to report the matter to the police. Mr Akinmurele told Drug and Alcohol Team workers which has caused the police to get involved.
’Mr Akinmurele has essentially dropped himself in it.’
Mr Glover went on to say that his client’s mental health had been suffering at the time and he was reliant on prescription medication.
The advocate continued : ’He feels that something has happened in terms of his mental state and would engage with any help as soon as possible.
’He is working with DAT and doing very well.’
Deemster Montgomerie said that he was pleased that a meeting was planned to discuss assisting Akinmurele.
He said: ’I urge you for the future to undertake all the interventions offered whilst you are in custody and on your release. That will assist you in dealing with your demons. But as I always say, that is a matter for you.’