A robber who targeted a petrol station near Gatwick has been sentenced.

Ricky Beckford entered the premises and threatened staff to empty the till.

He wore camouflage clothing and a balaclava to obscure his face. The 32-year-old also claimed he had a gun.

He took a small quantity of cash from the till then went outside. The police were called and he was arrested. Officers found he was in possession of a knife in his backpack.

At Lewes Crown Court on October 21, Beckford, of Home Piece Road, Wells, Norfolk, admitted robbery and possession of a knife or bladed article in a public place. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

The court was told how the incident happened at about 6.15pm on February 16 this year. Beckford himself called the police to inform them he had committed robbery.

Detective Sergeant Ian Warncken from Gatwick CID said: “Beckford masked his face while committing the robbery and was in possession of a knife.

“No one should have to be threatened to be robbed when they go to work, and Beckford’s actions were completely unacceptable.

“We work alongside businesses and our partners to tackle business crime.

“This case continues to show our determination to catch offenders and to ensure that Gatwick remains a safe place for people to work at and travel through.”

Students, parents and staff at a Surrey school are facing an uncertain future as plans to potentially relocate the educational establishment have been pushed back.

Reigate Priory Junior School had been earmarked to be moved by Surrey County council who say the existing town centre site could be modernised.

Despite concerns from parents the council in January put two options out for consultation, offering them the choice of continuing with the Woodhatch Place relocation plan. Or moving students to other schools across Reigate.

However, a delay in the process has now occurred following the collapse of the county council’s building design and partner ISG Limited.

The authority said it would continue to work with the Department for Education despite the setback, adding, “We understand this delay may be frustrating for some residents, but it is vital that we follow necessary procedures to ensure we find the best solution”.

Surrey County Council are expecting to have a final decision on how to proceed to be made in the early autumn of 2025.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a number of reported thefts from vehicles in Crawley.

Officers were called to a report of two men trying door handles in Jacobean Close, Maidenbower around 1.30am on 14 October.

A 43-year-old man of no fixed address and a 51-year-old man from Croydon were arrested on suspicion of vehicle interference and theft from a motor vehicle. They have been bailed, pending further enquiries.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and are particularly keen to hear from those with CCTV or doorbell footage in the area.

Contact Sussex Police online or call 101 quoting serial 59 of 14/10.

Redhill Library will move next month from its temporary space at Consort House to a further temporary site at the Belfry Shopping Centre. 

Photo credit: Surrey County Council.  Redhill Library’s current temporary location at Consort House.

The library will remain there until next Summer when it returns to its permanent location at the Warwick Quadrant following a full refurbishment and works to address the RAAC concrete which was first discovered last year. 

Before that though, to enable the set up at the Belfry Shopping Centre in the interim, there will be no access to Redhill Library at Consort House from the evening of Saturday 9th November until it reopens at its new temporary home in the Belfry at 9.30 am on the 18th November.