John Phelps has been sentenced for two years after threatening a member of the public with a knife during an attempted theft in Bolton.

John Phelps (24/07/1984), of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on 23 July 2026 after pleading guilty to attempted shoplifting, breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

The offences relate to an incident at a shop on Tonge Moor Road on 27 April 2026.

Phelps attempted to steal items from the store before being challenged by staff and the public.

During the confrontation, he produced a Stanley knife from his bag and threatened them.

He was subsequently arrested, charged and has now been sentenced to two years in jail for the offences.