A man has been jailed for four years after robbing a Melksham pharmacy at knife point in a terrifying daytime incident.

Thomas Noonan, 32, of Lower Bristol Road, Bath, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday (April 25) after pleading guilty to robbery and possession of a bladed article in a public place.

The incident occurred shortly after 9am on September 5, 2024, when Noonan entered Gompels Pharmacy on Bank Street, Melksham, brandishing a knife and threatening staff. He ordered employees not to move before stealing several items from the shelves, including bottles of perfume.

Police Investigation and Arrest

Detectives from Wiltshire Police’s CID and the County Local Policing Tasking Team launched an investigation, which led them to track down Noonan in Bath. Officers arrested him at his flat, where they recovered clothing matching CCTV footage from the robbery.

Noonan was swiftly charged and later admitted to the offences in court.

Statement from Investigating Officer

T/DC Dan Chaventre, who led the investigation, said:

“There can be no justification for Noonan’s actions, which understandably left the staff members and members of the public extremely distressed.

“Thanks to diligent and coordinated police work, we were able to identify and arrest Noonan quickly. He is now serving a prison sentence for his crimes and we hope this brings reassurance to the local community.”

Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the robbery, though the emotional impact on staff was significant.

Knife Crime Crackdown in Wiltshire

The case highlights the continuing efforts by Wiltshire Police to tackle violent crime, particularly involving knives, across the county.

Anyone with concerns about crime in their community is encouraged to report it online at wiltshire.police.uk or call 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.