Lucky Lincoln takeaway staff take down axe robber

A robber armed with an axe was overpowered by staff when he tried to hold up a Chinese takeaway, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Stuart Parsley, 47, of Francis Street, Newport, Lincoln walked into the Lucky takeaway in January 17 on Burton Road, Lincoln and attacked staff with an axe.

Lincoln Crown Court heard how he raised the axe in the air and brought it down on Bee Wu Wong’s head, but she managed to parry the blow.

Mrs Wong fought him off and shouted for help. Her husband Yashi Zheng ran downstairs to help but Parsley’s cousin Darren Parsley entered the premises as well.

The armed robber attacked staff at the Lucky Chinese takeaway on Burton Road. Photo: Google Street View

Lisa Hardy, prosecuting, said: “The takeaway was empty when Stuart Parsley walked in. Mrs Wong was behind the counter. She assumed he was a customer.

“He walked up to the private area of the takeaway and headed straight for the till. Mrs Wong immediately realised what his intention was and went to stop him.

“She stood in front of him and he produced the axe. He raised the axe in the air and went to strike Mrs Wong.

“She managed to stop the axe making full contact with her head. She sustained a cut to her head and bruising. There was also very significant bruising to her wrist from grappling with him.

“When the police arrived, the defendants had been restrained on the floor and were being held down by the family. By then Mr and Mrs Zheng’s son-in-law had arrived and the Parsleys were outnumbered.”

Darren Parsley suffered eight fractured ribs, four fractured vertebrae and a broken nose when he decided to come to the aid of his cousin. Photo: Lincolnshire Police

The cousins were arrested and both taken to hospital after the failed robbery.

Stuart Parsley was released the same day but Darren Parsley suffered eight fractured ribs, four fractured verterbrae and a broken nose. He was detained in hospital for three days.

Darren Parsley, 47, of St Rumbold Street, Lincoln admitted affray and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 18 months.

Stuart Parsley admitted attempted robbery and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for seven and a half years.

Recorder Gareth Evans QC, in passing sentence, said: “What happened that night was that a family was terrorised by you.

“You went in to get money and you armed yourself. The family were courageous. They were brave and took you on.”

Both men were given an indefinite restraining order banning them from contact with Mrs Wong and Mr Zheng and from going within 100 metres of the takeaway.

Jeremy Janes, for Stuart Parsley, told the court: “This did not start out as a robbery. It was an establishment he had visited before and he had no issue with the owners. It was not targeted.

He said Stuart Parsley had intended to visit the nearby Co-Op store to go shoplifting but it had closed by the time he arrived and he turned his attentions to the takeaway.

Sunil Khanna, for Darren Parsley, said his client came off worse in the incident and spent three days in hospital.

He said Darren Parsley had not taken part in the attempt to rob the premises and went in because he thought his cousin was being attacked.

“He is a man who does not have a history of violence. On this occasion he felt the need to go in and assist his cousin.”