Brave Gateshead shopkeeper tackled armed raider and locked him in store while waiting for police
A brave shopkeeper tackled an armed raider and locked him in his store then waited outside until the police arrived.
Masked robber Ryan Armstrong had gone into a Lifestyle Express shop in Gateshead on July 14 and demanded cash from the Post Office inside, while falsely claiming to have a knife in his pocket.
Newcastle Crown Court heard instead of handing over any hard-earned money, the worker grabbed him and pushed him to the door, while the robber tried to elbow him. The shopkeeper then grabbed the mask being worn by Armstrong, who picked up a glass bottle to lash out with.
Prosecutor Neil Pallister said: "He tried to hit the complainant on a couple of occasions with the bottle but fortunately missed. The complainant managed to grab the keys to the shop before he ran outside and locked the door from the outside, leaving the defendant inside.
"At that point the defendant began ransacking the shop, causing damage totalling £2,500, knocking goods off shelves and breaking bottles of drink."
The court heard when Armstrong started to look towards the locked glass door exit, the worker pulled down the shop shutters to keep him contained. When the police arrived Armstrong had stuffed £1,265 cash into his jacket and underwear.
Armstrong, 26, of Braeside, Dunston, Gateshead, admitted robbery and criminal damage. Judge Andrew Smith sentenced him to 20 months behind bars and said workers in small shops provide a vital service in the community.
The judge added: "He was extremely robust in the way he fronted up to you and tried to take hold of you."
Smith was issued with a restraining order to protect the victim in future. Rachel Hedworth, defending, said Armstrong is remorseful, has no relevant convictions, submitted good character references, has a supportive family and employment prospects.