Norwich man, 20, admits knifepoint NR3 shop robberies

Police warned people to "lock their doors" after Leon Meminaj, 20, clambered onto rooftops in the NR3 Silver Triangle area attempting to escape.  

Police warned NR3 householders to stay indoors after Meminaj clambered onto rooftops following knifepoint robberies (Image: Newsquest)

Emergency services, including armed response officers, a police negotiator, fire and ambulance had been called following reports of a man armed with a knife entering Silver Road Post Office, Angel Stores in Angel Road and a store in Waterloo Road demanding money.

READ MORE: Norwich man charged after knifepoint robberies of NR3 shops

Meminaj, of Rouen Road, Norwich, was arrested following the incidents between 4pm and 6pm on June 23.

Appearing in custody at Norwich Crown Court he pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery and having a knife. 

Recorder Harris warned him: “Given these robberies involved the use of a knife it is inevitable you will receive a lengthy custodial sentence.” 

Leon Meminaj was told he faces a lengthy jail sentence (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

He ordered prosecutors to obtain victim impact statements to assess the harm and probation service to compile an “all-options” report to assess his dangerousness. 

The court was told Meminaj had been released on licence from a period in youth detention shortly before the robberies after being deemed as not posing a risk.

READ MORE: Young drug dealers jumped out of window to escape police

It followed an incident in October 2022 when he had taken over the Great Yarmouth home of a vulnerable 61-year-old woman to supply cocaine and heroin.

On that occasion he and another man had jumped out of the window to try and escape police but had been arrested after surrendering to officers with tasers.

Meminaj, who was just 18 at the time of the offences, had been sentenced to three years detention in a Young Offenders Institution after the judge heard he had “played a significant role in the operation".