A 40-YEAR-OLD man accused of carrying out an armed robbery at a Trowbridge convenience store before kidnapping three people just minutes later is due to appear before a Swindon judge today.
Robert Smith, of Hampton Gardens, Aylesbury, is due to make his first appearance at Swindon Crown Court to face a string of robbery, kidnap and firearms charges.
Smith is accused of kidnapping sisters Victoria and Laura Smith and friend Robert Coppack from a house in Dursley Road, Trowbridge, on November 16.
The 40-year-old is also alleged to have held-up teenage shop worker Hannah Smith in an armed robbery at the Spar shop, in Dursley Road, just minutes before.
Smith appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Thursday, 18-hours after being charged with three counts of robbery, including two from cashpoints at Tesco, three counts of kidnap and three firearms offences.
Smith spoke only to confirm his name and address.
Magistrates were given brief details of the alleged offences for bail reasons despite defence solicitor Andrew Watt-Jones making no formal application.
Smith was remanded in custody until the hearing scheduled for today
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