A MAN who took part in a sex act on a busy shopping street on a Friday afternoon has been jailed for carrying out a robbery on a convenience store.

Michael Gallagher, 28, of Westmoreland Street, Darlington was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Friday to five years in jail following the robbery of P&J’s convenience store on Brougham Street in March.

The Northern Echo:

Gallagher wore a scarf around his face and entered the store before he threatened the cashier with a knife, ripped the till from the counter and made off.  

His sentencing comes just three days after magistrates at Newton Aycliffe said he had "put a slur on the town of Darlington" after taking part in the "lewd and disgusting act" in front of families and dozens of shoppers in the town centre last month.

He pleaded guilty to an offence of outraging public decency and was handed a 12 week suspended prison sentence.

He was also given an 18 month community order and 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

Detective Constable Liam Robertson, of Darlington Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said: “I welcome the sentence given to the offender and am pleased the case was heard before an independent jury who saw through the denials of the defendant.

“I am sure the victims will take some comfort in knowing that a dangerous individual is off Darlington’s streets.”