Colchester crook who held shopworkers at knifepoint jailed

James Martin carried out a spree of burglaries at corner shops in Barrack Street, Canterbury Road, and Military Road over an 11-month period, and also targeted residents with his accomplice Jordan Hibbs.

On Friday, Judge Emma Peters read out Martin’s long list of crimes to Ipswich Crown Court, describing them as “a series of violent, terrifying offences”.

Martin, 31, appeared in court via a video link from HMP Norwich having admitted five counts of robbery and four counts of possession of a knife or bladed article.

Targeted - James Martin and his accomplice Jordan Hibbs worked together in a series of robberies in Colchester, including one at Jan and Phil's in Military Road (Image: Newsquest)

A tenth charge of aggravated dwelling burglary was denied, but Martin later was found guilty after trial.

The court heard how Martin and Hibbs raided Jan and Phil’s convenience store in Barrack Street, Colchester at 5am on the morning of Saturday, October 22, 2022.

Martin launched himself at a Perspex window and held lone shopworker Steepan Mahalingasivam at knifepoint with a six-inch kitchen knife, whilst Hibbs blocked entry to the store.

Six weeks later, Martin and Hibbs targeted the same store, this time at 11pm before Martin grabbed Mr Mahalingasivam by the jumper and dragged him round the counter whilst Hibbs raided the till.

In February 2023, the pair turned their attention to St George’s Store in Canterbury Road where Hibbs and Mardin covered their faces with hoods whilst they threatened Jeyakantham Kanesalingam with a knife whilst they stole cash and cigarettes.

By July, the pair moved onto burgling an address in Hickory Avenue in Greenstead where they threatened Kelly Williams with a machete before stealing a purse and £700 in cash.

Extended - James Martin received an extended sentence from Judge Peters, meaning he will not be eligible for release from HMP Norwich for nearly 11 years (Image: Archant)

The final crime took place in September last year when Martin and Hibbs robbed a Premier store in Military Road where Martin told attendant Naveenreddy Karker “I will stab you – where’s the money?”

Judge Peters said she saw “no reason” to pass a shorter sentence than nine years – but she then took the unusual move of passing an extended sentence.

She said: “You present such a risk to the public, and probation consider you high risk.”

Martin, of Tony Webb Close, Highwoods, was jailed for 16 years and three months before he will then serve five years on licence.

Judge: 'I could make this sentence 30 years' 

A JUDGE has said she could have jailed a defendant for 30 years after he admitted to charges of robbery and knife possession.

Her Honour Judge Peters made the remark during an exchange with defence barrister Adam Budworth, who was acting on behalf of defendant James Martin at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday.

Martin admitted five counts of robbery and four counts of possession of a bladed article before he was later found guilty on one charge of aggravated burglary.

Mr Budworth, mitigating, said he found the defendant “a humorous, intelligent, and likeable man – completely different to the man who appears before your honour with these types of convictions.”

But Judge Peters said Martin hardly differed from his accomplice in the burglaries, Jordan Hibbs.

She said: “There’s very little to distinguish this defendant with his co-defendant.

“If I made all the robberies concurrent, I could make this sentence 30 years.”

Addressing Martin during her sentencing notes, she said: “No-one should expect this level of fear or violence to be inflicted upon them.

“Six weeks later, you returned rather audaciously to the same store.

“The least period I can impose, including credit for plea, would be 16 years – but that doesn’t fully address the risk you represent.”

Judge Peters jailed Martin for 16 years, with the defendant set to serve a further five years on licence upon release.