Man jailed for five years after threatening victim with knife for clothes he arranged to buy online

A 20-year-old man has been jailed for five years after threatening another man with a knife for clothes he had arranged to buy online.

Reiss Fletcher, of Bridge Street, Birkenhead was sentenced on Wednesday 2 June at Chester Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery and threatening a person with a bladed article at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how Fletcher had arranged to meet the victim in Chester after agreeing to purchase items of clothing on Facebook Marketplace on 18 January 2021.

On Saturday 23 January, a similar arrangement was made again for a pair of jeans, shoes and a belt on Victoria Road, Chester.

The victim waited in his car with his 12-year-old son and phoned Fletcher to let him know he had arrived.

Fletcher appeared from a nearby building and got into the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Once the victim had unwrapped a pair of shoes, Fletcher made demands for all the goods within the car.

He then threatened to stab the victim if he didn’t hand the clothes over.

The victim clicked the car door open and told Fletcher to leave. He then fled to a nearby residential building, leaving behind his slipper.

The victim then called police who swiftly arrived on scene and managed to detain Fletcher in a nearby flat.

Following a search of the property officers found Phillip Plein trainers and a Louis Vuitton bag – which had been sold to Fletcher at an earlier date.

They also found a knife similar to the blade described by the victim.

Fletcher was questioned and subsequently charged with robbery and threatening a person with a bladed article.

He was sentenced to five years imprisonment.

Detective Constable Scott Buckley said: “This was a frightening incident not only for the victim but his young son who was in the car at the time of Fletcher’s threats.

“Fletcher had no regard for the victim or his son, initially denying that he had threatened the pair during interview with officers.

“It is important for people to be cautious when buying or selling items online and arranging to meet up - think of the potential dangers and be alert.

“I would like to thank the officers who helped bring this case to court and the victim for assisting us in our investigation.

“I hope this sentence acts as a deterrent to anyone who feels that they can travel to Cheshire and commit crime.”