A man has been handed a five-year jail term for the knifepoint robbery of a West Cumbrian pub landlady who was forced to flee the scene with her 18-month daughter.
Peter Ellwood, 38, was inside The Central pub in Egremont on the late afternoon of November 14 last year when he initially approached a customer and demanded £20 from him. As he did so, Ellwood waved a bread knife with a seven-inch blade and then lunged several times towards the man, who was agile enough to avoid the thrusts although there were “near misses”.
He refused to hand over any money, telling Ellwood: “You’ve got to stop doing this, Peter.”
Ellwood then made his way to the till from which he snatched almost £200 after the landlady gathered her young daughter and ran from the bar. “All the while he was brandishing the knife,” prosecutor Gareth Roberts told Carlisle Crown Court.
Ellwood was identified, arrested and, in court today, admitted robbery, attempted robbery and having a bladed article in public. He had warned people after the crimes that if anyone said anything they would be “dead”.
In a statement, the male customer described having to visit his GP due to not sleeping or eating, and spoke of replaying the incident in the aftermath.
The landlady’s partner spoke of the emotional impact on his family, and of feeling “extremely angry” that the robber had committed the crimes.
Ellwood, previously of Main Street, Egremont, was said to be battling mental health problems and had abused substances in the past.
The court heard he had a raft of previous convictions including around a dozen for violence. In 2020, he received a hospital order for a serious assault on a psychiatric staff member.
Jailing Ellwood, Judge Nicholas Barker imposed an extended three-year licence period having concluded he was a dangerous offender. “I am satisfied you pose a significant risk of serious harm to members of the public by the commission of further specified offences,” said Judge Barker.
Ellwood must serve at least 40 months in custody before he is considered for released by a prison parole board.
