A MAN is due to appear in Chelmsford Magistrates Court today after being charged with a number of offences following a robbery in the city.

Robert Downey, 32, who’s unemployed, walked into Co-op on Barnard Road shortly before 7pm on Sunday, July 13, and threatened staff with violence, forcing them to hand over a three-figure sum of cash and scratch cards. He then walked out of the shop.

Following an area search, officers arrested Downey, of Wordsworth Court, one hour later further down the road before later charging him with one count of robbery, four counts of assaulting a police officer, one count of being in possession of an imitation firearm, one count of failing to attend a Class A drug addiction assessment and one count of being in possession of a knife in a public place.