A 43-year-old man has been sentenced for attempted robbery today, Friday 17th October.

Timothy Walker was sentenced to 15 years following the attempted robbery of an off licence in the Holywood Road area of Belfast on Friday 13th May 2022.

His sentence will run concurrently with his life sentence for the murder of Denis Shearer in February 2021.

Detective Sergeant McVeagh said: “Timothy Walker approached the counter and asked for cigarettes, at this point he has then produced a BB gun, that had been painted black to resemble a handgun, this was pointed at the male staff member.

"He demanded money from the till and when the staff member refused, he produced an extendable baton and struck the staff member several times about the head and body with the baton. A second staff member intervened and both managed to restrain him until police arrived.

"Walker was arrested at the scene and on search of his bag a small fold out knife, duct tape and cable ties were located.

"Today’s sentencing offers reassurance that we will work tirelessly to bring offenders before the courts so that the victims receive the justice they deserve. I would ask anyone who believes they are a victim of crime to contact police on the non-emergency number 101.”