Boy, 15, held up shop with 18-inch knife
ATEENAGER threatened a shop worker with a foot long knife before stealing money from the till.
The 15 year old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, went into Queens Avenue Convenience Store in Hurdsfield with his face covered holding a ‘kebab-style’ knife and made ‘jabbing motions’ towards worker Joseph Kurian, a court heard.
CCTV showed him push Mr Kurian before dumping a bag on the counter, stuffing tobacco products inside and stealing £200 from the till.
The teen was caught by fingerprints on a charity box which he picked up to feel how heavy it was, before putting it back down.
Magistrates told him he was lucky not to be going to custody.
Prosecuting, Lynn Rog- ers said: “Joseph Kurian was going about his duties when he heard someone rush into the shop. The defendant walked towards him with a kebab style knife, a foot and a half long, and made jabbing motions.
“CCTV shows Joseph remain calm and walk around the side aisles of the shop. The defendant goes behind the till, placing tobacco products in the bag and takes £200 cash.
“He left fingerprints after picking up a charity box to test its weight before putting it down.
“Police made enquiries at the establishment he was living. CCTV showed him leaving the property 15 minutes before the incident wearing dark clothing and return at 11pm wearing different clothes.”
A statement from the victim said: “I felt scared and didn’t know what he was going to do, if he was going to stab me.”
The youth pleaded not guilty to robbery and possessing a knife in a public place on January 24 but later changed his plea.
Social workers told the court the teenager is ‘articulate and polite’.
Defending, Lesley Herman said: “There are clearly underlying issues that need resolving. His mum has been trying to manage him for some time. He is living with her now and their relationship is much better.”
Magistrates gave him a 12-month Youth Rehabilitation Order with three-month curfew.
Chairman Marilyn Gibson said: “It’s a very serious offence. You had a weapon, it was planned, you took a change of clothes and threatened someone you didn’t know.
“This man was at work and doesn’t expect to see you with a long knife. He will remember that forever. You’re very fortunate you’re not going to custody.”